UC-NRLF 


Alabama 


AUGUSTUS 


BfcRlRAN'J  SMITH 

ACRES  OF  BOOKS 

240  Long  Beach  Blvd. 


ALABAMA 


A   DRAMA   IN  FOUR  ACTS 


BY 

AUGUSTUS   THOMAS 

Mtmber  of  American  Dramatists''  Club,  Author  of  "/«  Mizzoura,"  "The 

Burglar,"  "A  Man  of  the  World,"  "  The  Hoosier  Doctor," 

"The  Capitol,"  "  The  Man  Upstairs,"  "  Thejack- 

Jin's  Afterthoughts"  "A  Proper 

Impropriety,"  etc.,  etc. 


NEW  YORK 

THE   DE  WITT   PUBLISHING  HOUSE 
1898 

LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 


COPYRIGHT,  1898, 

BY 
ROBERT  HOWARD  RUSSELL. 

COPYRIGHT  NOTICE  AND  WARNING. 

This  play  is  fully  protected  by  the  copyright  law,  all  requirements  of 
svhich  have  been  complied  with.  lu  its  present  printed  form  it  is  dedicated 
to  the  reading  public  only,  and  no  performances  of  it  may  be  given  with- 
out the  written  permission  of  the  r.uthor,  who  may  be  addressed  in  care  of 
the  publisher. 

The  subjoined  is  an  extract  from  the  law  relating  to  copyright : 
SEC.  4996.  Any  person  publicly  performing  or  representing  any  dramatic 
or  musical  composition  for  which  a  copyright  has  been  obtained,  without 
the  consent  of  the  proprietor  of  said  dramatic  or  musical  composition  or 
his  heirs  or  assigns,  shall  be  liable  for  damages  therefor,  such  damages  in 
all  cases  to  be  assessed  at  such  sum  not  less  than  one  hundred  dollars  for 
the  first  and  fifty  dollars  for  every  subsequent  performance  as  to  the  Court 
shall  appear  just.  If  the  unlawful  performance  and  representation  be 
willful  and  for  profit,  such  person  or  persons  shall  be  guilty  of  a  mis- 
demeanor, and  upon  conviction  be  imprisoned  for  a  period  not  exceeding 
one  year. 


CAST  OF  CHARACTERS 

In  the  original  production,  Madison  Square  Theater, 
April  1,  1890. 


COLONEL  PRESTON,  an  old  planter,    MR.  J.  H.  STODDARDT. 
COLONEL  MOBERLY,  a  relic  of  the  Confederacy, 

MR.  E.  M.  HOLLAND. 
SQUIRE  TUCKER,  a  Taladega  County  justice, 

MR.  CHARLES  L.  HARRIS. 
CAPTAIN  DAVENPORT,  a  Northern  railroad  man, 

MR.  MAURICE  BARRYMORE. 

MR.  ARMSTRONG,  his  agent,  MR.  EDWARD  BELL. 

LATHROP  PAGE,  a  Southern  boy,     MR.  HENRY  WOODRUFF. 
RAYMOND  PAGE,  a  party  of  business, 

MR.  WALDEN  RAMSEY. 

DECATUR,  an  ante-bellum  servant,  MR.  REUB.  Fox. 

MRS.  PAGE,  a  widow  who  thinks  twice, 

Miss  MAY  BROOKYN. 

MRS.  STOCKTON,  another  widow,  Miss  ANNE  GREGORY. 

CAREY  PRESTON,  an  Alabama  blossom,  Miss  AGNES  MILLER. 
ATLANTA  MOBERLY,  Colonel  Moberly's  daughter, 

Miss  NANNIE  CRADDOCK. 


ALABAMA 

ACT  I 

TIME  :  An  evening  in  May,  1880 

SCENE  :  MRS.  PAGE'S  garden.  Walks  and  beds  laid 
out.  Trained  vines,  plants,  etc.,  about  cottage 
and  porch  showing  right,  2.  Picket  fence  set 
obliquely  from  'back  of  cottage  to  1,  left,  with 
gate,  center.  Plain  bench  inside  of  fence  and 
right  of  gate.  Back  drop  showing  low  per- 
spective of  bayou  and  swamp  land  with  old- 
fashioned  Southern  mansion  on  a  distant 
eminence. 

DISCOVERED  :  MRS.  PAGE  with  pruning  shears, 
twine,  and  watering-pot  busy  training  and  tying 
vines  and  plants. 

MRS.   PAGE 

[  With  shears,  crosses  to  flower-bed.]  Well,  that  is 
the  best  I  can  do  at  any  rate.  Poor  heartsease  ! 
Somebody  has  stepped  upon  you,  as  somebody  is 
always  doing  upon  everything  that  has  a  heart  in  it. 


[  Uses  shears.'}  I  suppose  you  think  I'm  cruel  with 
my  surgical  attention,  but  I  mean  that  kindly  too. 
[  Goes  L]  This  poor  bed  is  a  regular  hospital  with 
its  broken  limbs.  [  Up.]  The  fever  of  the  noon  has 
gone,  little  fellows,  and  left  you  thirsty.  [  Uses 
watering-pot.] 

[Enter  LATHBOP  PAGE  to  porch.] 
LATHROP 
How  long  before  tea,  mother  ? 

MRS.  P. 
The  usual  time,  my  dear.     Are  you  starving  ? 

LATHROP 

Not  even  hungry,  but  if  there's  a  half-hour  I'll 
run  over  to  Clayton's  and  make  a  sketch  of  his  end 
of  the  bayou. 

MRS.  P. 

[L]  Would  you  mind  getting  me  that  ball  of 
twine  from  the  back-room  mantel  before  you  go  ? 

LATHROP 

Not  at  all.     Is  there  a  half  hour  yet  ? 
MRS.  P. 

I  don't  know,  I'm  sure.     Ask  Mandy. 

[LATHEOP  exits  into  house.] 
LATHROP 

[Off]  Mandy!     Mandy! 


MRS.   P. 

[  With  string.]  Dear  Latlirop,  it  really  looks  as  if  he 
had  a  little  of  his  father's  business  talent.  I  hope  so. 
It  nearly  kills  me  to  think  of  his  passing  a  life  here, 
where  humanity  is  almost  vegetation.  But  I  don't 
wonder  at  it.  The  bayous  are  so  sluggish,  and  the 
sun  stands  still  so  long  at  noon-time. 
[Re-enter  LATHROP.  Takes  coat  from  gate  where 
it  has  been  hanging.] 

LATHROP 

Here's  the  twine,  mother.     Mandy  says  twenty 
minutes. 
MRS.  P. 

Then  why  go  ? 
LATHROP 

[Putting  coat  on.]  I  can  make  it  in  that  time  if 
I  run.     [  Outside  gate.] 

MRS.  P. 

Well,  don't  overheat  yourself,  my  boy.     We  will 
wait  a  few  minutes  for  you. 

LATHROP 

Oh,  I'm  all  right. 

[Exit  running  easily,  L.  2.] 
MRS.    P. 

Run  !     Is  there  another  boy  in  Coosa  County  that 
would  run   with  the  thermometer  in  the   nineties? 


Perhaps  you'll  live  fast  enough,  dear  son,  to  catch  up 
with  some  opportunity — who  knows  ?  [Looks  off  It.] 
Or  will  he  settle  down  into  such  an  indolent  old 
bunch  of  swamp  moss  as  this?  Good-evening, 
Squire. 

[Enter  SQUIRE  back  of  fence,  with  pail  and  gig,  R.; 
hangs  pail  on  picket.] 

SQUIRE 

Good-evenin',  Mrs.  Page.     [Pause.]    Workin'    in 
you'  garden,  I  see. 

[He  leans  indolently  over  the  fence  R.  of  gate. 
Beams  on  MRS.  P.,  showing  by  facial  expres- 
sion that  he  loves  her.] 

MRS.  P. 
Yes,  Squire. 

SQUIRE 

Certainly  does  look  pretty. 

[MRS.  P.  goes  to  vines  at  house.] 
How's  the  Madery  vines? 

MRS.  P. 
They  are  doing  very  nicely  indeed. 

SQUIRE 
No  bugs? 

MRS.   P. 
None  that  destroys  them. 

4 


SQUIRE 

Some  folks  says  the  meada'  larks  eats  the  Madery 
vine  bugs,  an'  I  reckon  that's  so,  'cause  we  ain't  seen 
none  since  the  meada'  larks  been  so  thick. 

MRS.  P. 

Are  your  vines  doing  well  ? 

SQUIRE 

We  ain't  put  out  none  this  spring.  Fact,  mother 
ain't  makin'  no  garden  at  all,  except  enough  for  table 
greens. 

MRS.  P. 
And  you  had  such  a  pretty  one  last  year. 

SQUIRE 

Yes,  but  it  took  so  much  time,  Mrs.  Page — took  so 
much  time  I  didn't  have  a  chance  to  read  up  on 
some  of  my  mos'  important  cases,  an'  had  to  decide 
'em  jes'  off-hand  like,  an'  whatever  way  I  think  was 
right.  Then  the  railroad  kind-a  skeered  us. 

MRS.    P. 
Why  so? 

SQUIRE 

Well,  folks  do  say  that  like  as  not  it  '11  run  right 
across  this  bayou. 

MRS.  P. 
Yes,  there  is  a  chance  of  that. 

5 


SQUIRE 

An'  in  that  case  rents  'ud  go  up  so  mother  'n  me 
couldn't  stay  where  we  are. 

MRS.  P. 

Oh,  I  don't  think  rents  will  be  affect  3d. 

SQUIRE 

Well,  property  certainly  will  increase. 

MRS.  P. 

Values  will,  a  trifle,  I  suppose. 

SQUIRE 

Well,  anyhow,  we  ain't  makin'  no  garden.    [Pause.] 
Say,  Mrs.  Page. 

MRS.  P. 
Yes,  Squire. 

SQUIRE 

What's  this  young  feller's  name  comin'  along  ovah 
yondah  with  Miss  Carey  ? 

MRS.  P. 

[  Going  to  gate.]  Where  ? 

SQUIRE 

Over  yon To  right.     Don't  look  now  'cause 

he'll  think  I'm  talkin'   about  him.     Been  presented 
to  him  twice,  an'  can't  remember  his  name. 

6 


MRS.   P. 

[Looking  incidentally.]  Oh,  that's  Mr.  Armstrong. 

SQUIRE 

Armstrong — Armstrong.  Funny  I  forget  that 
name.  Couldn't  think  of  it  yesterday  when  Mrs. 
Clayton  said  it  certainly  did  seem  strange  that  Miss 
Carey  'd  take  such  a  shine  to  him,  when  they  was  so 
many  promisin'  young  fellers  in  Talladega. 

MRS.  P. 

[L.  of  gate.]  I  hope  it  doesn't  worry  Mrs.  Clayton. 

SQUIRE 

[Crosses  to  L.  of  gate.]  Well,  it  did  seem  to  dis- 
tress her  certainly.  An'  you  know  Mrs.  Clayton  ain't 
very  partial  to  Northern  people  since  her  Beatrice 
run  off  with  that  Yankee  drummer. 

MRS.  P. 

Well,  the  Yankee  drummer  makes  a  very  good 
husband.  Carey  gets  letters  from  Beatrice.  She  is 
happy  and  has  a  pretty  home  in  Chicago. 

SQUIRE 

Now — now  don't  that  show?  H-how  could  any- 
body be  happy  in  Chicago  after  livin'  in  Talladega  ? 

MRS.  P. 
I  never  thought  of  that. 

7 


SQUIRE 

Jes'  see  him  switchin'  that  cane  of  hisn,  cuttin' 
the  heads  off  of  the  four  o'clocks.  Seems  they  must 
always  be  doin'  some  thin',  them  chaps  from  up 
North. 

MRS.  P. 
They  don't  lose  much  time. 

SQUIRE 

He's  certainly  not  lost  much  ovah  Miss  Carey. 
He's  only  been  here  a  week. 

[Enter  ARMSTRONG  and  CAREY.     J?.] 
ARMSTRONG 

Good-evening,  Mrs.  Page. 

MRS.  P. 

Good-evening,  Mr.  Armstrong.  You  know  Squire 
Tucker? 

ARMSTRONG 

Oh,  yes  ;  the  Squire  and  I  are  old  friends  of  five  or 
six  days'  standing. 

SQUIRE 

Yes,  yes. 
CAREY 

Good -evening,  Squire.  [Enters  gate,  kisses  MRS. 
PAGE.]  How  are  the  larkspurs,  Cousin  Mildred  ? 


MRS.    P. 

They  are  doing  very  well  indeed.  [  Crosses  with 
CAREY,  R.~\  One  or  two  little  fellows  at  this  end  of 
the  playground,  however,  seem  to  have  suffered  sun- 
stroke. See  what  a  pretty  colony  this  is.  [They 
goL.} 

SQUIRE 

[Still  back  of  fence  with  ARMSTRONG.]  Mr.  Arm- 
strong. 

ARMSTRONG 
Yes. 

SQUIRE 

[Crosses  to  R.  of  gate.]  Some  folks  says  you  all 
going  to  run  that  new  railroad  o'  yourn  ovah  the 
bayou  yondah. 

ARMSTRONG 

That  is  one  proposed  route. 

SQUIRE 

Well,  see  here,  will  that  make  a  dam  ovah  it  ? 

ARMSTRONG 
Adam? 

SQUIRE 

Yes.  Won't  you'  embankment  stop  up  our  end 
of  it? 


ARMSTRONG 

Oh,  no,  there  will  be  no  embankment.  The  cheapest 
construction  would  be  cypress  piling  with  free  play  to 
the  water  below. 

SQUIRE 

Well,  Pm  glad  of  that.  A  dam  would  be  a  very 
paramount  objection  to  the  road. 

ARMSTRONG 
Yes? 

SQUIRE 

Yes.  Y'  see,  that  bayou  is  jes'  rich  with  frogs. 
See  heah  [holds  up  pail],  I  gig  them  twenty-one  in 
about  forty  minutes. 

ARMSTRONG 
Frogs  ? 

SQUIRE 

Oh,  yes  ;  their  saddle's  jes'  as  sweet  as  chicken. 
Now  fifteen  is  a  very  good  meal  for  mother  and 
myself. 

ARMSTRONG 

Yes,  but  what  has  that  to  do  with  the  railroad  ? 

SQUIRE 

Nothing  if  you  put  in  piles,  but  a  dam  might  stop 
the  water,  and  discourage  the  frogs  ;  and  most  of 
our  citizens  is  bitterly  opposed  to  that. 

10 


ARMSTRONG 

Oh,  I  see,  yes.  [Musingly.]  That  is  a  difficulty  I 
hadn't  anticipated. 

MRS.  P. 

[  Up  to  bench,  sits.]  What  is  that,  Mr.  Armstrong  ? 

ARMSTRONG 

I  am  just  learning  that  the  possible  inconvenience 
to  the  frogs  in  the  bayou  is  one  of  the  objections  to 
the  proposed  railway. 

MRS.  P. 

[Smiling.]  Yes,  we  guard  our  institutions  very 
jealously. 

ARMSTRONG 

Do  you  suppose  any  kindred  considerations  are 
responsible  for  Colonel  Preston's  reluctance  ? 

CAREY 

\L.  C.]  Mr.  Armstrong,  how  can  you  joke  about 
grandpa  ? 

ARMSTRONG 
I  am  not  joking. 

SQUIRE 

[  Calling  off  Z.]  Yes,  yes,  I'm  a-comin'.  [All  turn 
to  him  as  he  picks  up  pail  and  gig.]  Mother  is  wav- 
in'  me  to  come  home.  I  suppose  supper  is  waitin' 
on  these  frogs. 

ii 


MRS.  P. 

It  isn't  because  you  are  gossiping  with  the  widow, 
is  it,  Squire  ? 

SQUIRE 

[Laughing.']  No,  I  reckon  not,  ha,  ha  !  [Starts 
and  stops  LJ]  When  these  is  dressed,  Mrs.  Page,  I'll 
do  myself  the  pleasure  to  bring  you  down  half  a 
dozen  saddle. 

MRS.  P. 

Thank  you,  Squire. 

SQUIRE 

Not  at  all,  ma'am.  Evenin',  Mistah  Armstrong, 
evenin'.  [Exit  SQUIRE  calling.']  Yes'm,  I'm  comin'. 

MRS.  P. 

Good-evening,  Squire. 

ARMSTRONG 

Good-evening. 

[CAKEY  bows  and  smiles. ,] 
MRS.  P. 

Won't  you  come  inside,  Mr.  Armstrong  ? 

ARMSTRONG 

I  will,  thank  you.  [Enters  gate.~\  These  are  your 
friends  ?  [Indicating flowers.'] 

MRS.  P. 

More  than  friends,  Mr.  Armstrong,  they  are  my 
family. 

12 


ARiM  STRONG 

Stupid  of  me  not  to  see  they  were  at  least  rela- 
tions, Mrs.  Page.  [Looks  at  CAREY.] 

MRS.  P. 

[JZising.]  Carey  is  affecting  an  unconsciousness, 
but  I  bow. 

CAREY 

What  was  that  ? 
MRS.  P. 

Only  a  lost  opportunity,  my  dear.  Youth  is  filled 
with  them.  Do  you  admire  flowers,  Mr.  Armstrong? 

ARMSTRONG 

[  <7.]  Very  much.  I've  never  been  familiar  enough 
with  them  to  do  more. 

MRS.  P. 
Not  even  at  home  ? 

ARMSTRONG 

Not  even  at  home.  We  live  in  a  brick  row  in 
Boston,  where  the  houses  are  close  together  like 
front  teeth.  A  dear  old  grandmother  of  mine  has 
put  a  smile  over  one  window  sill  with  a  box  of 
geraniums,  but  is  scarcely  generous — never  prodigal. 

MRS.  P. 
Well,  Carey  shall  gather  some  for  you.     Take  my 

'3 


shears,  dear.  [Passes  them.]  I'll  be  gone  only  a 
minute.  Excuse  me.  Cut  bachelor-buttons,  dear. 
[Exit  to  house.] 

CAREY 

Very  funny  shears. 

ARMSTRONG 
But  appropriate. 

CAREY 
Appropriate  ? 

ARMSTRONG 
Very. 

CAREY 

[Kneeling  at  bed  up  L.  C.]  Oh,  I  suppose  because 
of  the  spring  in  them.     Was  that  your  joke  ? 

ARMSTRONG 

There  was  no  joke. 

CAREY 

Do  you  want  me  to  ask  you  why  appropriate, 
then? 

ARMSTRONG 

No,  I  meant  to  tell  you. 

CAREY 

[Rising  and  handing  him  some  flowers.]  Well,  tell 
me.     Hold  these. 

14 


ARMSTRONG 

And  let  me  hold  these — [kissing  her  hands] — a 
moment  too. 

CAREY 

{Half  alarmed  but  wholly  willing."]  Mr.  Arm- 
strong  

ARMSTRONG 

Little  woman— every  artist  who  has  tried  to  put 
on  canvas  or  in  stone  his  idea  of  the  Fates,  has 
pictured  one  of  them  holding  a  pair  of  shears — just 
as  you  hold  these  ;  just  as  with  a  pressure  of  those 
little  fingers,  you  can  turn  the  tide  of  a  human  life. 
Miss  Carey,  don't  look  down. 

CAREY 

[Looking  upj]  Mr.  Armstrong 

ARMSTRONG 

I  am  very  much  in  earnest. 
CAREY 

You  have  known  me  only  a  week. 
ARMSTRONG 

I  have  been  with  you  only  a  week,  but  I  have 
known  you — always. 

CAREY 

Known  me  ? 

15 


ARMSTRONG 

Yes.  A  dear  old  man  in  Boston  once  wrote,  "  There 
are  words  that  have  loved  each  other  since  the  birth 
of  the  language,  and  when  they  meet  that  is  poetry." 
Miss  Carey 

CAREY 

Yes. 

ARMSTRONG 

There  are  lives  that  have  been  in  rhythm  always, 
and  when  they  meet — that  is  love.  I  love  you,  Carey 
Preston. 

CAREY 

[Archly. ]  But,  are  there  no  girls  in  Boston  ? 

ARMSTRONG 

[  Waiting  and  becoming  amused J\  Yes,  a  few — 
but  they're  in  Boston. 

CAREY 

[Smiling.'}  Oh  ! 

ARMSTRONG 

Don't  smile,  little  girl. 

CAREY 
You  smiled. 

ARMSTRONG 

Yes,  but  I — I  am  very  serious.     I  said,  I  loved  you. 
16 


CAREY 

And  I— I 

ARMSTRONG 
Well 

CAREY 

I — am — very  glad. 

[Puts  her  face  on  his  breast.] 
MRS.  P. 

[After  pause,  and  off.~\  Carey 

CAREY 
That  is  Cousin  Mildred. 

ARMSTRONG 

{Keeping  hold  of  CAREY'S  hand.]  Yes,  that  is 
Cousin  Mildred. 

[Miter  MRS.  P.] 

MRS.  P. 

Well,  what  have  you  done  ? 

CAREY 

[  Undecidedly.]  I've  cut  some  bachelor-buttons. 

ARMSTRONG 
Truly. 

MRS.  P. 
An  implied  significance. 

ARMSTRONG 

Yes.     Mrs.   Page [Pause.]  This   little   lady 

has  told  me  something  of  herself. 

17 


MRS.  P. 
Pleasant  confessions  ? 

ARMSTRONG 

They  are  proving  so.  She  tells  me  she  does  not 
remember  her  parents. 

MRS.  P. 

No.  Carey's  father  went  North  at  the  begin- 
ning of  the  war.  The  mother  died  when  Carey  was 
too  young  to  remember  her. 

ARMSTRONG 

She  tells  me  you  are  the  only  mother  she  remem- 
bers. 

MRS.  P. 

She  was  a  very  dutiful  daughter  too,  till  her 
Grandpa  Preston  took  her  home. 

CAREY 

And  am  I  not  still  ? 
MRS.  P. 

Oh,  yes;  but  you  understand,  Mr.  Armstrong,  I  am 
no  longer  in  authority.  I  am  only — Cousin  Mildred. 

ARMSTRONG 

Which   is  quite   a   good    deal,  judging  from  her 

frequent  testimony.  [Pause.]  You  see,  Mrs.  Page 

[Pause.] 

18 


MRS.  P. 

[Smiling.']  I  think  I  see,  Mr.  Armstrong. 
ARMSTRONG 

[Brightening."]  Thank  you,  I  thought  you  would. 
MRS.  P. 

Yes,  nearly  everybody  in  the  neighborhood  has 
done  the  same. 

ARMSTRONG 

[Inquiringly.]  That  is 

MRS.  P. 

Seen. 

ARMSTRONG 
Really? 

MRS.  P. 

Really — yes. 
ARMSTRONG 

Well,  I  hadn't  thought  that.     I've  been  here  only 
a  week. 

MRS.  P. 

But  you  have  been  together  all  the  time. 

ARMSTRONG 

True.     But  then   I  was  Colonel  Preston's  guest. 
He  had  been  kind  enough  to  ask  me  to  stop  there, 


and   naturally   I — that   is,   Miss   Carey  and  I   were 
thrown  together. 

MRS.  P. 

Tin-own  together  ?     I  don't  think  "  thrown  "  is  the 
best  word  under  the  circumstances. 

ARMSTRONG 

Well,  perhaps  not  thrown.   [Pause.]  But  it  would 
be  difficult  to  improve  on  "  together,"  wouldn't  it  ? 

MRS.  P. 

Not  only  difficult,  but  misleading. 
ARMSTRONG 

Yes.  [Pause.] 

MRS.  P. 
Well? 

ARMSTRONG 

[Still  holding  CAREY'S  hand.]  Thank   you.     I — I 
was  hesitating  for  the  best  form  of  expression. 

MRS.  P. 

Verbally,  of  course. 

ARMSTRONG 

Oh,   yes,  verbally.     I   understand  that  pictorially 
this — [looking  at  hands] — is  sufficiently  effective. 

CAREY 

[Trying  to  disengage  hand.]  Please  don't. 
20 


ARMSTRONG 

[Reassuringly.]  But  why  not  ?  Mrs. — your  cousin 
Mildred  understands  it,  don't  you  ? 

MRS.  P. 

Perfectly,  Carey,  dear.     Come  here. 

[CARET  crosses  to  MRS.  p.,  who  kisses  her] 
ARMSTRONG 

Mrs.  Page,  I'd  like  to  say  something  out  of  the 
commonplace  to  show  my  appreciation  of  your — 
encouragement. 

MRS.  P. 

The    commonplaces    are   more    in   my   way,   Mr. 

Armstrong. 

ARMSTRONG 

And  mine,  but  I  felt  I  ought  to  speak  to  someone 
about  it.  I  never  seemed  able  quite  to  get  her 
grandpa's  attention,  and  besides — you  had  acted  as 
her  mother  and 

MRS.  P. 

And  I'm  glad  you  tell  me  first.  Colonel  Preston 
is  very  old. 

ARMSTRONG 

I  noticed  that.   [Crosses  Z.] 
MRS.  P. 

It  is  easily  discovered.  And  he  is  very  positive  in 
many  views — as  you  also  may  have  noticed. 


ARMSTRONG 
Yes. 

MRS.  P. 

With  an  old  man's  tenacity,  he  retains  many  prej- 
udices against  the  people  of  the  North.  I  don't 
think  he  would  look  favorably  upon  Carey's  alliance 
there. 

CAREY 

Don't  you,  Cousin  Mildred  ? 

MRS.  P. 

No. 
ARMSTRONG 

Well,  what  do  you  advise  ? 

MRS.  P. 

Telling  him,  of  course  ;  but  knowing  his — peculi- 
arities, you  can  humor  them. 

ARMSTRONG 
Oh,  to  be  sure. 

MRS.  P. 

I  don't  know  just  how  well  acquainted  you  are 
with  our  little  girl,  but  her  nature  is  rather  a  biddable 
one. 

CAREY 

[Half 'mutinously .]  I  know  what  I  want. 

22 


MRS.  P. 

[Smiling. ]  Have  you  known  it  longer  than  a  week, 
dear? 

CAREY. 

\Poutingly '.]  Ob,  I'm  going  home. 

[She  goes  up  to  gate.] 
MRS.  P. 

You'd  better  wait  and  take  your  dolls. 

[Crosses  to  bench.     Sits  on  bench.] 
ARMSTRONG 

[Z.  of  bench.]  Of  course,  Miss  Carey's  people 
know  very  little  of  me. 

MRS.  P. 

There  isn't  much  to  learn,  Mr.  Armstrong.  Carey 
is  a  little,  unsophisticated  Alabama  girl,  raised  on  a 
bankrupt  plantation.  She  is  not  an  heiress — she  has 
few  personal  allurements.  If  an  honest,  energetic 
man  loves  her,  we  think  he  must  be  in  earnest.  And 
after  that,  there  is  really  little  else. 

ARMSTRONG 

You  are  very  good,  Mrs.  Page,  and  I  am  in  earnest. 

MRS.  P. 

Colonel  Preston  would  resent  any  weakness  for  the 
North  in  Carey  more  quickly  than  in  any  other 
person. 

23 


ARMSTRONG 
Why  so  ? 

MRS.  P. 
Her    father — Harry     Preston — Colonel    Preston's 


son- 


ARMSTRONG 
Yes. 

MRS.  P. 

Grieved  the  old  man  very  deeply  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  late  war  by  enlisting  with  the  North. 

ARMSTRONG 

Carey  has  told  me  her  father  was  a  graduate  of 
West  Point. 

MRS.  P. 
Well? 

ARMSTRONG 

That  should  have  meant  something. 

MRS.  P. 

So  was  General  Lee — but  let  us  not  speak  of  that. 
Harry  Preston  went  with  the  North.  He  was  one  of 
the  men  who  came  through  here  with  Sherman. 
Young  Preston  at  that  time  visited  his  wife, — Carey's 
mother, — who  was  living  with  the  old  man  then. 
She  met  him  against  the  wishes  of  his  father. 

24 


ARMSTRONG 

But  she  was  his  wife. 

MRS.  P. 

Yes,  but  a  member  of  Mr.  Preston's  family,  and  he 
resented  her  action.  I  am  not  justifying  the  old 
man's  wrath — I  only  explain  that  both  of  Carey's 
parents  hurt  him  very  deeply. 

ARMSTRONG 

I  understand.  [  Goes  to  Z.] 

CAREY 

Here  is  Colonel  Moberly,  Cousin  Mildred. 

MRS.  P. 

[Rising  and  going  down  jR.]  Where  ? 

CAREY 

Goodrevening,  Colonel. 

[Enter  COLONEL  MOBERLY,  L.  2.] 
MOBERLY 

[L.  <7.]  Good-evening,  Miss  Carey.  How  are  you 
all  over  at  Colonel  Preston's  ?  Good-evening,  Mrs. 
Page. 

MRS.  P. 
Good-evening,  Colonel.     Won't  you  come  in  ? 

MOBERLY 
Thank  you.  [Enters  gatej]  My   dear  Mrs.  Page, 

I — I  kiss  yo'  hand. 

[Business.  ] 

25 


MRS.  P. 

[It.]  You  know  Mr.  Armstrong  ? 

MOBERLY 

[72.  C.]  I  have  met  Major  Armstrong. 

CAREY 

[L.  C.]  Major  Armstrong. 

MOBERLY 

Major  Armstrong  of  the  Gulf  and  Midland  Rail- 
road. 

ARMSTRONG 

[L.]  Thank  you,  Colonel,  but  it  is  only  plain 
Mister. 

MOBERLY 

My  dear  Miss  Carey,  do  not  permit  our  friend  to 
undervalue  himself.  That  he  does  not  bear  the  title 
is  a  mere  accident  of  birth.  If  he  had  been  born, 
Mrs.  Page,  a  generation  earlier,  and  when  our  inter- 
necine strife  afforded  the  opportunity,  his  gallant 
bearing  alone  would  have  won  him  the  rank  of 
Major. 

MRS.  P. 

I  quite  agree  with  you,  Colonel. 

ARMSTRONG 

You  are  very  complimentary,  Colonel. 
26 


MOBERLY 

Not  at  all,  Major,  not  at  all.  I  am  informed  on 
very  credible  authority  that  you  are  expecting  you' 
Captain  Davenport  here  in  the  morning. 

ARMSTRONG 
We  are. 

MOBERLY 
I  shall  very  much  admire  to  meet  him. 

MRS.  P. 

May  I  ask  who  Captain  Davenport  is  ? 

ARMSTRONG 

He  is  the  projector  of  the  new  road,  and  its  chief 
engineer  as  well  as  president. 

MRS.  P. 
And  he  is  coming  here  ? 

ARMSTRONG 

He  is  going  over  the  entire  line.  I  simply  precede 
him  in  my  work  of  acquiring  the  right  of  way. 

MOBERLY 

Major  Armstrong  is  what  we  call  a  skirmish  line  in 
the  enterprise.  Captain  Davenport  follows  with  the 
heavy  artillery. 

ARMSTRONG 
Precisely. 

27 


MRS.   P. 
I  see.  [To porch.] 

MOBERLY 

What  is  Captain  Davenport's  idea  of  a  meeting 
at  Colonel  Preston's  ? 

ARMSTRONG 

Simply  called  there  because  I  am  making  that  my 
headquarters,  I  think.  But  how  did  you  learn  of 
the  meeting,  Colonel  ? 

MOBERLY 

Well,  sah,  an  editor  hears  of  most  everything, 
especially  in  a  place  like  this.  Mrs.  Stockton  told 
me  for  one. 

ARMSTRONG 
Mrs.  Stockton  ? 

MOBERLY 

Yes,  there  is  some  talk  of  the  road  going  her  way, 
five  miles  from  here. 

ARMSTRONG 
Yes. 

MOBERLY 

Then  I  also  heard  it  from  Mr.  Page,  the  chairman 
of  the  Assembly  committee  on  railroads.  Mrs.  Stock- 
ton has  accepted  my  offer  of  escort  to  the  meeting 
to-morrow,  unless  you  object. 

28 


ARMSTRONG 

Most  happy  to  have  you  there.  Colonel. 
MOBERLY 

Thank  you,  Major. 

[ARMSTRONG  is  talking  to  CARET  at  fence,  L.  CJ\ 

MOBERLY 
I  have  called  on  a  little  business,  Mrs.  Page. 

MRS.  P. 

With  me,  Colonel  ? 

MOBERLY 

Yes.     Will  you  ask  our  friends  to   excuse  us   a 
moment  ? 

MRS.   P. 
Carey,  dear. 

CAREY 
Yes,  cousin. 

MRS.   P. 

Show  Mr.  Armstrong  the  beds  at  the  lower  end  of 
the  garden.    I  have  a  moment's  business  with  Colonel 

Moberly. 

[CAREY  enters  gate.] 
ARMSTRONG 

Certainly. 

MOBERLY 

I  am  very  sorry,  Major,  to  intrude,  but 

29 


MRS.    P. 

[Significantly.'}  But  it  will   only   be   a  moment, 
friends. 

ARMSTRONG 

Oh,  we  can  wait. 

[Exit  Z.,  with  CAREY.] 
MRS.  P. 

[At  bench — seated.}  And  now,  Colonel  Moberly  ? 

MOBERLY 

[L.  of  bench.}  My  dear  Mistress  Page,  I — I  am  in 
a  most  embarrassing  attitude. 

MRS.  P. 

Won't  you  sit  down  ? 
MOBERLY 

That  isn't  the  trouble.     I  have  been  asked  to  take 
a  case  against  you. 

MRS.  P.. 

Against  me  !     A  case? 
MOBERLY 

Yes,  ma'am,  I'm  grieved  to  say  it. 

MRS.  P. 

What  is  the  cause  ? 
MOBERLY 

The  possession  of  this  property. 
30 


MRS.   P. 

Well,  it  is  mine,  and  at  any  rate  has  no  value,  or 
very  little. 

MOBERLY 

The  new  railroad  is  making  things — ah — look  up, 
Mrs.  Page. 

MRS.   P. 

And  is  my  little  property  coveted  ? 
MOBERLY 

The  title  is  questioned. 
MRS.  P. 

Questioned — by  whom  ?    My  husband's  family  ? 
MOBERLY 

Your  husband's  brother,  yes,  ma'am. 
MRS.  P. 

Raymond  Page  ? 
MOBERLY 

Yes,  Mistress  Page.     He  says 

MRS.  P. 

I  anticipate  you,  Colonel.     You  need  not  speak  it. 

MOBERLY 

I  much  prefer  not  to.     But  he  is  coming  himself. 

[Crosses  to  H.} 


MRS.   P. 
Here  ?  [Rising.'] 

MOBERLY 

Here.     I  thought  it  only  the  chivalrous  thing  to 
make  you  aware  of  it  first. 

MRS.  P. 
I  thank  you,  but  you  are  his  attorney. 

MOBERLY 
He  has  asked  me  to  handle  his  case. 

MRS.   P. 
And  you  accepted? 

MOBERLY 

As  someone  must,  I  thought  it  best  a  friend  should 
discuss  your  interests.     But  here  is  Mr.  Page. 

MRS.  P. 

[  (7.,  calling.}  Carey ! 

CAREY 

[  Q^-]  Yes,  cousin. 

MRS.   P. 

Come  here,  my  dear. 

MOBERLY 
Is  it  best  to  tell  Miss  Carey  ? 

MRS.  P. 
I  need  a  friend. 

32 


MOBERLY 

My  dear  Mrs.  Page,  I 

MRS.  P. 

Must  act  as  his  attorney. 

[Enter  ARMSTRONG  and  CAREY.] 
CAREY 

Well,  cousin  ? 
MRS.  P. 

Mr.  Armstrong,  will  you  be  kind  enough  to  say  to 
Squire  Tucker  that  I  wish  to  see  him  on  business  ? 

ARMSTRONG 
Now? 

MRS.  P. 
Now. 

ARMSTRONG 

With  pleasure. 

[Exits  L.  U.  E.} 

CAREY 

What  is  the  matter,  Cousin  Mildred  ? 

[Enter  pAGE/rom  Z.] 
MRS.  P. 

This  is  the  matter. 
PAGE 

[Entering  gate.}  Good-evening,  Mildredf 
33 


MRS.  P. 
You  have  business,  your  attorney  tells  me. 

PAGE 
Then  he  has  told  you  ? 

MRS.  P. 
I  prefer  to  hear  it  from  you. 

PAGE 
Shall  we  go  inside? 

MRS.  P. 
Not  in  my  house. 

PAGE 
The  young  lady Miss  Carey,  good-evening. 

CAREY 

Mr.  Page 

MRS.  P. 

Carey  is  with  me. 

PAGE 
Shall  she  hear  ? 

MRS.  P. 

Everything. 

PAGE 

I  will  state  my  case  materially  as  I  have  told  it  to 
my  attorney, 

34 


MRS.  P. 
If  you  please. 

PAGE 

You  are  in  possession  here  of  property  left  to  my 
brother,  Dabney  Page. 

MRS.  P. 
And  my  husband. 

PAGE 
Well — there  we — begin  to  differ. 

MRS.  P. 
Sir,  once  before  you  have  affronted  me. 

PAGE 

I  am  prepared  for  your  indignation,  but  my  brother 
told  me  you  had  never  been  his  wife. 

MRS.  P. 
Sir! 

CAREY 
Cousin  Mildred  ! 

MRS.  P. 

My  dear,  don't  believe  him. 
CAREY 

Hpw  could  I  ? 

35 


PAGE 

You  have  been  permitted  to  live  here,  but  the 
property  is  mine.  That  is  my  case. 

MRS.  P. 

Is  that  a  just  cause,  Colonel  Moberly  ? 
MOBERLY 

You  can  prove  yourself  Mr.  Dabney  Page's  wife,  of 
course,  Mrs.  Page. 

[MRS.  P.  buries  her  face  in  her  hands.] 
CAREY 

Of  course  she  can.  I've  heard  grandpa  say  that 
Lathrop  was  the  image  of  his  father. 

PAGE 

The  law  does  not  regard  resemblance  as  proof  of 
legitimate  descent. 

MOBERLY 

[Crosses  to  PAGE.]  But  damme,  sir,  every  Southern 
gentleman  should.  Mrs.  Page,  I  did  not  think  of 
you'  son  Lathrop.  [  To  PAGE.]  I  relinquish  the  con- 
duct of  your  case,  sir. 

PAGE 
Very  well.     There  are  other  lawyers. 

[  Crosses  to  It.  corner. ,] 
MRS.  P. 

Colonel  Moberly  ! 

[She  gives  him  her  hand.] 

36 


MOBERLY 

Mrs.  Page,  I— I  kiss  you'  hand. 

[  Goes  to  gate.] 
PAGE 

We  will  need  some  proofs,  madam,  besides  senti- 
ment. 

CAREY 

What  is  it,  Cousin  Mildred  ? 
MRS.  P. 

The  chaplain  who  married  Mr.  Page  and  me  was 


killed  in  the  war,  dear,  as  Mr.  Page 
CAREY 

But  my  mother  was  there. 
MRS.  P. 

Yes,  and  with  this  same  sweet  face,  my  darling. 
[Holding  CAREY'S  faceJ]  If  she  could  but  have  left 
her  memory  with  you,  as  she  left  her  eyes. 

[Enter  SQUIRE.] 
PAGE 

Well,  madam  ? 
SQUIRE 
You  wanted  to  see  me,  Mrs.  Page  ? 

MRS.  P. 

I  do  not  know,  Squire.  I  am  in  some  trouble,  I  felt 
the  need  of  a  friend—a  legal  friend, 

37 


SQUIRE 

Well,  Colonel  Moberly 

MRS.  P. 

Is  on  the  other  side. 
MOBERLY 

[Coming  down.}  Was  approached  by  the  other 
side,  Mrs.  Page,  was — approached. 

SQUIRE 

Well,  befo'  we  proceed  to  business,  mother  begs 
you  will  accept  these  frogs. 

MRS.  P. 

Thank  you,  Squire. 
SQUIRE 

[Puts  plate  of  frogs  on  porch  and  sits  spreadingly 
on  bench.]  And  now  kindly  state  your  case  to  the 
court. 

MRS.  P. 

Mr.  Raymond  Page,  your  story  again. 
PAGE 

My  case  is  simply  this— this  lady  and  her  son  have 
been  in  possession  of  this  property— which  belongs  to 
our  estate. 


SQUIRE 
You  have  never  disputed  her  title  ? 

PAGE 

Once,  yes.  But  as  it  was  of  little  worth  we  per- 
mitted her  to  remain.  It  now  has  a  suddenly 
increased  value,  and  we  assert  our  claim. 

SQUIRE 

[Rising  and  coming  down.']  On  what  ground  ? 

[Enter  LATHROP,  L.  2.] 
PAGE 

One  that  I  trust  the  lady  will  not  force  us  to  press. 
We  insist  that  my  brother,  Dabney  Page 

LATHROP 

[Entering  gate.]  My  father 

PAGE 
Yes,  your  father — was 

MRS.  P. 

Not  before  my  son. 
LATHROP 

[To  MRS.  PAGE'S  side.]  What  is  it, mother  ?  What 
does  this  mean  ? 

PAGE 
It  means 

39 


SQUIRE 

[Interrupting,  and  with  one  hand  on  PAGE'S 
cottar.]  Another  word,  sah,  and  as  this  lady's  attor- 
ney, and  counselor-at-law,  I  smash  you'  damned 
face. 


CURTAIN. 


ACT  II. 

TIME  :   The  following  morning. 

SCENE  :  COLONEL  PRESTON'S  premises — Two-story 
brick  house  with  green  blinds  and  white  porch, 
rising  two  steps  from  stage,  set  L.  from  curtain 
line  to  3.  Large  umbrageous  tree,  2,  R.  C. 
Ruined  wall,  with  open  gateway  crossing  at  3. 
Post  JR.  of  gate  in  ruins.  Post  L.  of  gate  com- 
plete. Wall  and  posts  covered  by  vines.  Rustic 
table  and  two  chairs  in  front  of  tree. 
Back  drop  of  bayou  and  vegetation  in  perspec- 
tive. 

DISCOVERED  :  PAGE  and  ARMSTRONG.     Piano  heard 
off,  "  Down  on  the  Farm." 

ARMSTRONG 

[L.  of  table  R.,  seated.]  Then  it  is  understood, 
Mr.  Page,  that  your  committee  will  report  favorably 
on  our  bill  ?  I  would  like  to  be  able  to  say  that 
much  to  Captain  Davenport  when  he  arrives. 

PAGE 

[Standing  C.]  You  may  say  so,  Mr.  Armstrong. 
Of  course  the  bill  is  not  reported  yet,  but  I  feel  sure 


that,  as  chairman  of  its  committee,  I  can  influence 
a  favorable  report.  There  is  only  one  thing  in  the 
way. 

ARMSTRONG 
And  that  is? 

PAGE 

Certain  expenses  that  our  committee  have  been  put 
to  personally,  and  which  I  have  defrayed. 

ARMSTRONG 

What  amount  will  cover  them? 

PAGE 

A  thousand,  I  should  say. 

ARMSTRONG 

I  am  ready  to  make  that  good. 

PAGE 
Now? 

ARMSTRONG 
Now.    Will  you  accept  it  ? 

PAGE 

Well,  not  for  that  purpose.     You  see  the  expenses 
have  not  been  official. 

ARMSTRONG 

I  understand  that  perfectly.     I  have  some  legis- 
lative experience. 

4* 


PAGE 

But  I  am  willing  to  wager  you  a  thousand  dollars 
on  the  toss  of  a  coin,  and  let  you  toss  it. 

ARMSTRONG 

Done.     Head  or  tails  ? 
PAGE 

Tails. 

ARMSTRONG 

[Not  looking  at  result.]  I  lose.  I  will  write  you 
a  check  now.  [Business  with  fountain  pen.] 

PAGE 

I  would  prefer  the  cash,  as  I  need  the  money 
to-day. 

ARMSTRONG 

I  haven't  that  amount,  but  this  check  will  be  taken 
by  the  Talladega  bank.  I  have  cashed  two  there  in 
the  past  week.  Your  initials  are  ? 

PAGE 

Make  it  payable  to  bearer. 

ARMSTRONG 

Oh,  I  see.     All  right.  [Writes.]  It  is  signed  by 
Captain  Henry  P.  Davenport,  our  president.  [Hands 
check.] 
PAGE 

Thanks.  I  will  now  join  Mr.  Preston.  Believe 
me,  Mr.  Armstrong,  I  am  as  anxious  as  you  can  be  to 
gain  his  consent  to  the  right  of  way. 

43 


ARMSTRONG 

I  thank  you.     I  hope  you  may. 

[Exit  PAGE,  R.  C.     Sound  of  piano  in  house.} 

Well,  that's  as  cold-blooded  a  bribe  as  I  ever 
knew.  But  it's  well  spent  if  he  can  control  the 
committee. 

[Goes  to  house.     Enter  DECATTJR,    back    of 
house,  with  syrup  pitcher.} 

Is  that  Miss  Carey  at  the  piano,  Decatur  ? 

DECATUR 

[  (7.]  Yes,  sah. 

[Exit  ARMSTRONG  to  house.] 

DECATUR 

[At  table.}  Can't  see  why  New  Orleans  molasses 
ain't  good  enough  for  Mistah  Armstrong.  Mars 
Preston  never  wants  nuffin  else,  I  never  wants  nuffin 
else,  but  Miss  Carey  says  must  have  maple  seerup  for 
Mars  Armstrong.  Dat  Miss  Carey  she  just  like  her 
ma  used  to  be.  She  take  shine  to  young  man — tain't 
nuffin  too  sweet  for  him. 

[Enter  LATHROP.] 
LATHROP 

[R.  C.]  Good-morning,  Uncle  'Catur. 

DECATUR 

Mornin',  mornin',  Mars  Lathrop.  How  is  you  dis 
mornin',  sah  ? 

44 


LATHROP 

[Smiling  a  reply.]  Mr.  Armstrong  about  ? 

DECATUR 

Out  in  a  minute,  sab,  I  guess.  He's  bad  his  batb 
and  bis  bot  watab  to  sbave,  and  heah's  bis  maple 
seerup. 

LATHROP 
Maple  syrup? 

DECATUR 

Yes,  sab.  Ole  Decatur  had  to  ride  over  nearly  to 
Talladega  to  buy  bottle  for  him.  He — be  don't  like 
New  Orleans  molasses. 

LATHROP 

Doesn't  like  it,  eh  ? 

DECATUR 

Dat  is,  be  'spress  a  fondness  fob  maple  syrup,  and 
Miss  Carey  said  be  must  have  it. 

LATHROP 

Miss  Carey,  eh  ?  [  Crosses  JR.  C] 

DECATUR 

Yes,  sab.  [Crosses  C.]  Mistah  Armstrong  talkin' 
to  her  now,  I  'spects.  I  jist  heab  the  pyano  stop 
playin'.  [With  whispered  unction.] 

LATHROP 

Well,  I'd  like  a  word  with  Mr.  Armstrong  ;  but  if 
he  hasn't  had  his  breakfast 

45 


DECATUR 

[Going.]  Dat's  mostly  Mars  Preston's  fault,  I 
'spects,  'cause  Mars  Preston  must  have  his  walk 
'roun*  de  bayou. 

LATHROP 

Yes. 

DECATUR 

[Second  thought.]  Has  yo'  had  yo'  breakfast,  Mars 
Lathrop  ? 

LATHROP 

Oh,  yes,  thank  you,  Uncle  'Catur. 

DECATUR 
Yes,  sah.     Will  you  sit  down  out  here,  sah  ? 

LATHROP 

Yes  ;  wait  here. 
DECATUR 

Dere's  a  basket  of  oranges,  sah,  sent  ovah  to  Miss 
Carey  from  Tallehasse  yesterday.  You  kin  try  some 
of  them,  sah. 

LATHROP 

[Sits  at  table.]  Thank  you,  Uncle  'Catur. 

\Exit  DECATUR  to  house.] 

Armstrong  and  Carey,  eh?  Only  been  here  a 
week,  and  I — I  have  been  born  and  raised  with 
Atlanta,  and  can't  seem  to  get  on  somehow. 

46 


[JE/nter  ARMSTRONG  from  house.] 

ARMSTRONG 

Good-morning.     An  early  caller. 

LATHROP 

[Rising.]  Mr.  Armstrong. 

ARMSTRONG 

Pleasant  morning. 
LATHROP 

[  (7.]  Very.     Any  news  ? 
ARMSTRONG 

News  ?    About 

LATHROP 

The  road. 
ARMSTRONG 

Oh,  yes,  to  be  sure.    You  are  the  editor  of  Colonel 
Moberly's  paper,  the 

LATHROP 

The  Talladega  Sentinel. 
ARMSTRONG 

Yes,  yes  !    Have  you  to-day's  copy  ?  [  Crosses  to  JR. 
front  of  table.] 

LATHROP 
To-day's  ?     Why,  we  print  only  once  a  week. 

ARMSTRONG 
To  be  sure.     But  this  is  Thursday. 

47 


LATHROP 

Yes,  we  issue  Saturday. 

ARMSTRONG 
Oh,  yes  ! 

LATHROP 

Colonel  Moberly  thought  there  might  be  some 
news. 

ARMSTRONG 

No  ;  no  change.  Mr.  Preston  still  refuses  ;  we  etill 
solicit. 

LATHROP 
Your  idea  is  to  cross  near  here  ? 

ARMSTRONG 

At  the  head  of  the  bayou. 

LATHROP 

We've  made  a  chart  of  the  road,  Mr.  Armstrong. 
Colonel  Moberly's  idea  is  to  print  it  on  our  front 
page.  [Shows  chart.  Gives  chart.] 

ARMSTRONG 

But  not  this  size  ? 

LATHROP 

Oh,  yes  ! 
ARMSTRONG 

Indeed  ? 

48 


LATHROP 
It's  quite  an  important  local  item. 

ARMSTRONG 
But  a  smaller  diagram 

LATHROP 
Wouldn't  fill  our  front  page. 

ARMSTRONG 
Wouldn't 

LATHROP 
Fill. 

ARMSTRONG 

Fill  ?    Oh,  I  see.     Yes,  yes  !     News  is  scarce. 
LATHROP 

Yes,  and  Colonel  Moberly  is  very  much  interested 
in  the  success  of  this  enterprise. 

ARMSTRONG 

He  has  certainly  been  very  kind.  {Returns  chart.} 
LATHROP 

Thank  you,  sir. 

ARMSTRONG 

Is  the — the  paper,  the 

LATHROP 

The  Sentinel. 

49 


ARMSTRONG 

Yes — the  Sentinel — his  only — that  is,  does  he  con- 
fine his  attention  exclusively  to  his — journal  ? 

LATHROP 

Oh,  no,  sir !     Colonel  Moberly  does  most  of  the 
law  business  of  this  county. 
ARMSTRONG 

Attorney  ? 
LATHROP 

Yes,  sir.     Then   he  is  the   representative   of  the 
Richmond  Fire,  Marine,  and  Life  Insurance  Company. 

ARMSTRONG 
Indeed  ! 

LATHROP 

Yes,  sir.     And  he  is  the  colonel  of  the  Talladega 
Light  Artillery.    No  guns,  but  a  superb  organization. 

ARMSTRONG 

I  can  readily  understand. 

LATHROP 

And  the  nominee  of  the  out-and-out  Democratic 
party  of  this  district  for  Congress. 

ARMSTRONG 

Well,  well !     I'm  afraid  I  haven't  appreciated  the 
Colonel.     Won't  you  sit  down? 


LATHROP 

Thank  you.  [  Crosses  to  steps,  L.     They  sit.] 

ARMSTRONG 

[Musingly.]  Yes,  yes  !  Well,  I'm  glad  the  Colonel 
is  interested  in  our  road.  But  how — how  do  you 
explain  his — his  enthusiasm  ?  Local  pride  ? 

LATHROP 

[Looking  off.]  Local  pride,  sir,  and — astuteness. 

ARMSTRONG 

[Looking  at  him  quickly.]  Astuteness  ?  I'm  afraid 
I  don't  quite  gather. 

LATHROP 

Well,  sir  ;  Colonel  Moberly  sees  if  the  road  doesn't 
come  through  here  it  will  go  some  other  way. 

ARMSTRONG 

Surely.     That's  very  clever  of  the  Colonel. 

LATHROP 

Then  if  it  does  come  this  way,  the  Colonel  thinks 
his  interest  in  it  will  help  his  race  for  Congress. 
ARMSTRONG 

By  his  interest — you  mean  his — enthusiasm  ? 
LATHROP 

Yes. 
ARMSTRONG 

Well,  I — I  haven't  appreciated  the  Colonel,  that  is 
evident.  And  if  the  road  goes  the  other  way  ? 


LATHROP 
Then  it  will  probably  cross  Mrs.  Stockton's  land. 

ARMSTRONG 

And  Mrs.  Stockton  ? 

LATHROP 

Is  a  young  widow  lady,  who  people  say  will  one- 
day  be  Mrs.  Colonel  Moberly. 

ARMSTRONG 

[Rising.']  Well,  well,  the  Colonel  is  a  cuckoo.  I 
remember  meeting  him  at  Montgomery  with  the 
chairman  of  the  committee  on  railroads — a  Mr.  Page, 
by  the  way — any  relation  of  yours  ?  I  saw  him  yes- 
terday at  your  home.  [  Goes  C.~\ 

LATHROP 

[  Crosses  H.,  back  of  table.]  Mr.  Raymond  Page. 
He  is  my  uncle. 

ARMSTRONG 
Ah,  indeed  ! 

LATHROP 

There's  some  coolness  between  him  and  my  mother, 
so  he  doesn't  visit  us  of 

ARMSTRONG 
Ah! 

[Laugh  heard  off.~\ 
52 


ARMSTRONG 

[Up  C.    Looking  off  Z.]  Here  is  Colonel  Moberly 
now.     Oh — the  lady  on  his  right  is  Mrs.  Stockton, 
isn't  it  ? 
LATHROP 

[  Going  to  him.]  Yes,  sir. 
ARMSTRONG 

I  remember  meeting  her.     The  other  ? 
LATHROP 

The  Colonel's  daughter.    [  Crosses  L.~\ 
ARMSTRONG 

Ah,  yes  !  [Lifts  hat.]  Good-morning,  Mrs.  Stock- 
ton— Colonel.  [LATHROP  bows.] 

[Enter    COLONEL,    MRS.    STOCKTON,    and    ATLANTA, 
Z.   C.] 

MRS.'S. 

Good-morning,  Mr.  Armstrong.  Has  your  won- 
derful Captain  Davenport  come?  [Crosses  to  J£.,  up 
stage.  ] 

ARMSTRONG 

Not  yet.     We  expect  him  this  morning. 

MOBERLY 

Majah,  my  daughter,  Miss  Atlanta  Moberly.  At- 
lanta, permit  me  to  present  my  dear  young  friend, 
Majah  Armstrong. 

53 


ATLANTA 
Major  ? 

ARMSTRONG 

[  Crosses  to  ATLANTA.  ]  I  have  despaired,  Miss 
Atlanta,  of  escaping  military  honors,  post  bellum. 

ATLANTA 

Oh,  I  know  papa  !  My  own  name  is  in  memoriam, 
I  believe. 

COLONEL 

[jR.  <7.]  My  daughter,  Majah,  was  born  on  the 
day  that  the  city  of  Atlanta,  Georgia,  suffered  the 
disaster  of  an  entrance  by  your  General  Sherman, 
sir ;  and  I  called  her  "  Atlanta  "  in  commemoration 
of  that  sad  event. 

ARMSTRONG 

[L.  C.~]  A  capitol  name,  Miss  Moberly. 

ATLANTA 

\Ij.  of  ARMSTRONG.]  So  the  members  of  the  second 
class  in  geography  always  tell  me,  Major. 

ARMSTRONG 

Pardon  a  dull  and  persevering  recruit.  \UpJ\ 

MOBERLY 

Mrs.  Stockton,  you  know  Major  Armstrong  of  the 
Gulf  and  Midland  Railway  ? 

54 


MRS.   S. 

[  Up  H.  ]  I  have  that  pleasure. 

MOBERLY 

And  Lieutenant  Lathrop  Page,  editor  of  the 
Sentinel,  and  second  officer  of  the  Talladega  Light 
Artillery  ? 

MRS.  S. 
That  too  among  my  benefits. 

LATHROP 

[L.}  Mrs.  Stockton.    [They  bow.} 

ARMSTRONG 

Will  you  be  seated,  ladies? 

[ATLANTA,  ARMSTRONG,  and  LATHROP  sit  up  L. 
on  steps.  ] 

MRS.   S. 

[Sitting  down  E.  at  table.}  Somebody's  breakfast 
— so  late? 

ARMSTRONG 

Colonel  Preston's.  He  is  a  little  later  than  usual 
this  morning  with  his  walk. 

\The*ihree*young people  talk  in  dumb  show.] 

MRS.  S. 

[Looking  over -table.]  Only  oranges  and  syrup  so 
far. 

55 


MOBERLY 

[  Taking  orange.  ]  May  I  prepare  one  for  you,  Mrs. 
Stockton  ? 

MRS.  S. 

Are  you  skilled  ? 
MOBERLY 

[  C.]  I  have  studied,  Mrs.   Stockton.     My  father 
used  to  say  that  peeling  an  orange  for  a  lady  was  a 
sure  test  of  a  liberal  education. 
MRS.  S. 

Liberal,  yes — especially  if  the  orange  belonged  to 
someone  else. 

MOBERLY 

[  With  much  manner — ogles  her.]  Ah,  Mrs.  Stock- 
ton! that  is  scarcely  worthy  of  you.    You  must  know 
that,  in  any  matter  that  concerns  you — possession,  in 
my  eyes,  becomes  ownership. 
MRS.  S. 

I  prefer  to  establish  a  distinction. 
MOBERLY 

[  <7.]  The  difference  in  most  cases  is  very  slight. 

[Aside.]  I  wish  I  knew  whether  that  road  was  go- 
ing over  her  property. 
MRS.  S. 

But  where  a  woman  is  concerned,  Colonel,  or  I 
should  say  may  be  concerned. 

56 


MOBERLY 

{By  her.]  Is   concerned,   Mrs.  Stockton — is  con» 
cerned,  I  beg 

MRS.  S. 
Truly  ? 

MOBERLY 

Most  truly. 
MRS.  S. 

[Leaning  back.]  Well — then 

MOBERLY 

Well [Aside  and  coming  down  with  orange.] 

I'm  blamed  if  I  ain't  on  the  threshold  of  a  proposal, 
and  I  don't  know  how  I  got  there.  [Aloud.  ]  Mrs. 
Stockton 

MRS.  S. 

Colonel 


[ARMSTRONG  leaves  LATHROP    and   ATLANTA 
together.] 

MOBERLY 

[Parenthetically.  ]  Ac — accept  this  fruit.      [  Offers 
orange.] 
MRS.  S. 
Thank  you. 

[JRises  and  goes  up  stage,  leaving  orange  e*i 
table.} 

57 


[Enter  CAREY  from  house.] 
CAREY 

Good-morning.     Why,  I  didn't  know  you  all  were 
here.     [Kisses  women.]     Good-morning,  Colonel. 

MOBERLY 

[JR.   <7.]  Good-morning,   Miss    Carey.     You     are 
as  fresh  as  a  blossom.     I— I  kiss  you'  hand. 

CAREY 

Won't  you  all  come  in  ? 

MRS.  S. 

On  so  pretty  a  morning  ? 

CAREY 

Then  see  my  garden. 

MRS.  S. 

You  show  us  that. 
[Exeunt  ARMSTRONG,  MRS.  s.,  back  of  house.} 

CAREY 

Aren't  you  coming,  Colonel  ? 

MOBERLY  * 

In  a  moment,  Miss  Carey. 

CAREY 
Come,  Atlanta— Lathrop. 

[Exit  back  of  house.] 

5* 


MOBERLY 

[Sits  at  table  J]  I  wonder  if  there  was  anything 
portentous  in  her  leaving  this  orange. 

[ATLANTA  remains  at  back    while    LATHEOP 
comes  down.] 

LATHROP 

[(7.]  Colonel  Moberly 

MOBERLY 

Lieutenant 

LATHROP 

You  know  me  pretty  well — you  know  my  people 
— you  know  whether  I  am  anxious  to  attend  to  busi- 
ness, don't  you  ? 

MOBERLY 

Certainly,  Lieutenant. 
LATHROP 

I  have  secured  the  option  on  lots  of  land  between 
here  and  Talladega,  and  if  the  new  road  comes  this 
way,  or  goes  the  other,  I'll  sell  some  town  lots,  and 
get  a  start. 
MOBERLY 

That  is  certainly  enterprising,  Lieutenant. 
LATHROP 

I  want  permission  to  pay  my  addresses  to  your 
daughter. 

59 


MOBERLY 

You'  addresses  ? 
LATHROP 

Yes,  sir. 

MOBERLY 

Well what  do  you  call  what  you  been  doing, 

Lieutenant  ? 
LATHROP 

Prospecting,  Colonel,  and  now — I'd  like  the  right 
of  way. 
MOBERLY 

[Rising.]  Well [  Crosses  front  of  table.    Sees 

ATLANTA.]  Atlanta,  come  here,  my  dear.  [She  comes 
aown.]  Air  you  in  the-— lobby  on  this  measure  ? 

ATLANTA 

I  beg  your  pardon,  papa. 

MOBERLY 

This  lias  your  approval  ? 

[She  smiles  and  turns  to  LATHROP.] 
LATHROP 

[Taking  her  hand.]  I'm  sure  it  has,  sir.   [Both  to 
L.  corner.] 

[SQUIRE  and  MRS.  P.  appear  JK.  II.  M] 
SQUIRE 

[  Calling.]  Good-morning,  Miss  Carey — Mrs.  Stock- 
ton.    No,  thanks;  here  is  the  Colonel. 

[ATLANTA  crosses  to  her  father.] 
60 


MRS.  P. 
Do  we  intrude? 

MOBERLY 
Mrs.  Page,  you  are — morning,  Squire. 

SQUIRE 

[Looking  at  COLONEL,  but  without  gesture — then 
looks  off  LJ\  I  salute  you,  Colonel. 

MOBERLY 

You  are  just  in  time. 

MRS.  P. 

[  Coming  down  €.]  Yes  ?    For  what,  Colonel  ? 

MOBERLY 

[72.  C.]  It  appears  that  these  young   people 

your  son  Lieutenant  Page,  and  my  daughter — believe 
that  their  mutual  happiness  depends  on  a  permanent 
association. 

MRS.  P. 

[Looking  at  LATHEOP.]  I  have  been  told  something 
of  it. 
MOBERLY 

Lieutenant  Page  has  asked  my  approval. 
MRS.  P. 

Well  ? 
MOBERLY 

I  wish  to  show  you  that  my  connection  with  that 
affair  in  your  garden  last  night  was  very  unpremedi- 
61 


tated.     If  I  had  seriously  considered  it  or  believed  it 
true,  I  would  not  now  contemplate  this  alliance. 
MRS.  P. 

[  C.    With  dignity  and  hurtj]  Colonel  Moberly  ! 
LATHROP 

[L.  C.}  That  matter  again.  What  was  it,  mother? 
How  does  it  concern  me  and  Atlanta?  [ATLANTA  Z.] 
MOBERLY 

I  do  not  consider  it. 
MRS.  P. 

That  you  have  mentioned  it  is  proof  that  you  do, 
Colonel.     My  son,  for  the  present  I  must  refuse  my 
consent  to  this  engagement. 
MOBERLY 

Mrs.  Page 

MRS.  P. 

No  more,  I  beg  you.     Lathrop,  leave  us  a  moment. 
Squire — —     [SQUIKE  and  LATHROP  up.]  Atlanta,  my 
dear,  there  is  only  kindness  for  you  ;  but  my  boy 
must  bring  his  wife  some  other  heritage  than  doubt. 
ATLANTA 

[Z.  67.]  Doubt? 
MOBERLY 

This  is  a  mistake,  Mrs.  Page.  Atlanta  knows 
nothing. 

62 


MRS.  P. 

[Quietly.]  There  is  nothing  to  know,  Colonel 
Moberly  ;  but  you  must  be  aware  that — my  boy's 
name — will  be — in  question.  It  will  hurt  him  very 
deeply,  as  it  is.  It  would  hurt  him  more  if  it  reacted 
upon  her.  I  shall  spare  him  that. 

ATLANTA 

I  don't  understand  you.  You — you  refuse  your 
consent  ? 

MRS.  P. 

Yes.  [ATLANTA  weeping.] 
LATHROP 

[Embracing  ATLANTA].  What  is  this  trouble, 
Colonel  Moberly  ? 

MOBERLY 

Your  mother  only  can  explain,  Lieutenant. 
LATHROP 

Mother ! 
MRS.  P. 

I  will  explain  to  Atlanta.     Come,  dear,  don't  cry. 

[Exit  into  house.] 
LATHROP 

[  C.~\  What  does  this  mean,  Colonel  Moberly  ? 
MOBERLY 

[JR.  C]  It  means  that  I  am  an  ass — a  blamed  ass, 

63 


sah,  and  if  I  had  kept  quiet,  your  ma  would  never 
have  thought  of  refusing. 

[LATHKOP  at  steps.]   I  wouldn't    advise    you    to 
follow  them. 
LATHROP 

[To  SQUIRE,  who  is  sitting  on  steps.]  What  is  this 
trouhle  that  everyone  may  know  but  me  ?  [SQUIRE 
shakes  head.] 

[Exit  LATHROP  around  house.] 
SQUIRE 

Colonel — [Pause;  SQUIRE  beckons  and  pats  step 
beside  himself,  COLONEL  crosses  to  step  and  sits  by 
SQUIRE.]  Was    it  the— the   case,   Colonel,  of   Page 
versus  Page  ;  possession  of  certain  lands  ? 
MOBERLY 

Yes,  sah. 
SQUIRE 

I  thought  so.     [Pause.]   She's  a  very  paramount 
woman,  Colonel. 
MOBERLY 

She's  indeed  a  superior  woman,  Squire. 

SQUIRE 

I  knew  her  intimately  afore  ever  she  was  Mrs. 
Page — when  she  was  nee — nee  Mildred  Fairfax. 

MOBERLY 
A  very  old  family,  sah. 

64 


SQUIRE 

You  know,  Colonel,  she  was  previously  engaged  to 
Harry  Preston. 

MOBERLY 

[As  matter  of  course.']  The  Colonel's  son. 
SQUIRE 

Oh,  yes — their  attachment  was  very  valid  indeed, 
too — but  being  as  they  was  cousins  the — Colonel 
Preston  canceled  it. 

MOBERLY 

On  account  of  the  consanguinity. 
SQUIRE 

[After  puzzled  look  at  MOBERLY,  dubiously.]  How  ? 
MOBERLY 

I  say  Colonel  Preston's  objection  to  the  marriage 
was  on  account  of  the  consanguinity. 

SQUIRE 

[Bringing  up  his  average.]  Oh,  yes  !  I  s'pose  that 
was  just  as  serious  as  their  being  cousins.  [  Whispers 
aside]  Consanguinity !  [Looks  cautiously  at 

MOBERLY.]  Colonel 

MOBERLY 

Well,  Squire  ? 
SQUIRE 

[Looking  at  house.  Pause]    You   have    been    a 

6s 


father  [pause]   and  a  married  man — do  you  con- 
template that  marriage  is  a  failure  ? 

MOBERLY 

[Sadly]  Well,  Squire,  it  has  different  results  in 
nearly  every  different  case.  It  is  a  mattah  in  which 
one  man  of  honor  cannot  advise  another. 

SQUIRE 

[Thoughtfully]  Mother  has  always  been  opposed 
to  it,  and  there  being  nobody  for  her  to  lean  on  but 

me 

MOBERLY 

Well — it  is  dubious. 
SQUIRE 

[After pause.]  I  was  talkin'  over  this  case  of  Page 
versus  Page  last  night  with  Mrs.  Page. 
MOBERLY 

Yes. 
SQUIRE 

She  says  her  few  months  of  married  life  was  Jbout 
as  happy  as  any  similar  period  of  her  experience. 
MOBERLY 

It  is  that  way  with  some. 
SQUIRE 

And  it  wasn't  a  love  match  either,  but  mother  says 
marriage  wasn't  a  success  with  her — an'  she  was 

66       - 


married  fifteen  year  [with  feeling]  when  father  died. 

Colonel. 

MOBERLY 

Yes,  Squire. 
SQUIRE 

Do  you  think  it  would  affect  the  standing  of  a 
court  that  had  continued  single  nigh  on  to  forty-five 
years,  if  it — should — discontinue? 
MOBERLY 

Get  married  ? 
SQUIRE 

Yes,  sir. 
MOBERLY 

Quite  the  contrary,  Squire.     It  would  add  to  its 

impressiveness,  certainly. 

SQUIRE 

E — even  if  its  mother  had  no  other  visible  means 
of   support?     It    wouldn't   look  like   deserting  her} 
would  it  ? 
MOBERLY 

Seems  to  me,  Squire,  it  would  appear  like  providing 
a  companion  for  her  declining  years. 
SQUIRE 

[Rising — offering    his    hand.]    You    air    sincere, 
Colonel? 

67 


MOBERLY 

[Rising.']  There's  my  hand,  sah.  [They  shake.] 
SQUIRE 

You  have  placed  the  case,  Colonel,  in  a  comforting 
and  lucid  manner.  I  thank  you.  [Aside — going  C.] 
I  wish  the  Colonel  would  convene  with  mother. 

[Re-enter  CAREY,  MRS.  s.,  and  ARMSTRONG  from 
above  house.] 

CAREY 

[Up  C.]  Here  is  gran'pa,  gentlemen. 
MRS.  S. 

[L.  C.]  Where  are  the  ladies? 
MOBERLY 

[L.]  Indoors,  Mrs.  Stockton. 
MRS.  S. 

I  will  join  them.   [  Goes  in.] 
SQUIRE 

Here  is  the  plaintiff,  Colonel,  with  Mr.  Preston. 
[GoesR.} 

[Enter  PRESTON  and  PAGE,  R.  of  C.  entrance.] 
CAREY 

Grandpa 

PRESTON 

[C.]  My  darling — [Kisses  her.]  Your  old  grandad 
is  very  tired. 

68 


CAREY 

[Bringing  him  down.]  You  should  not  walk  so  far. 
See  our  friends. 
PRESTON 

Gentlemen,  you  honor  me.  I  was  about  to  have 
my  breakfast.  Will  you  join  me?  Call  Decatur, 
my  dear. 

ALL 

No,  thank  yon. 

CAREY 

[  On  porch  and  calling  off.]  Decatur— Sadie,  tell 
Decatur. 

MOBERLY 

We  have  come  over,  Colonel,  to  attend  the  meeting 
with  Captain  Davenport. 

PRESTON 

Davenport  ?  [  Going  to  table.] 

SQUIRE 

About  the  land. 
PRESTON 

Land  ?     What  land  ? 

CAREY 

[  Coming  to  him.]  There  gran 'pa  ;  don't  be  excited  ! 
Gentlemen — [Appealing  to  them.] 


ARMSTRONG 

[Coming  down.]  No  land,  Mr.  Preston.  Only  the 
right  of  way  for  the  railroad. 

[ Enter  DEC  ATUR,  back  of  house. 
PRESTON 

But  why  do  they  come  to  me?  I  have  said  no — I 
do  not  want  your  railroad  on  my  plantation,  Mr. 
Armstrong. 

CAREY 

Sit   down,  gran'pa.     Decatur,   bring  gran 'pa   his 

coffee. 

[Exit  DECATUR.  ] 

[  Coming  to  MOBERLY.  ]  Colonel  Moberly,  don't  talk 
to  him  of  this.  You  don't  know  how  it  worries  him. 

PRESTON 

Carey,  won't  our  friends  have  breakfast?  Tell 
Decatur  to  set  some  plates.  [ARMSTRONG  goes  back 
of  table.} 

CAREY 

It  is  very  late,  gran'pa.  All  the  gentlemen  have 
been  to  breakfast — excepting  Mr.  Armstrong. 

PRESTON 

Then  sit  down,  Mr.  Armstrong. 
ARMSTRONG 

Thank  you.  [Sits  R.  of  table.} 

70 


PAGE 

I  have  been  trying  to  get  Colonel  Preston  to  consent 
to  the  road,  and  to  assist  it.  There  is  nothing  I 
would  not  do  to  persuade  him. 

SQUIRE 

[J2.]  Would  you  dismiss  the  suit,  sah,  that  you  pro- 
pose to  bring  against  his  cousin,  Mrs.  Mildred  Page, 
sah? 
PRESTON 

Suit  against  Mildred  ?    What  suit  ? 
PAGE 

Nothing  to  be  talked  of  now. 
CAREY 

Never  mind,  gran'pa! 

PRESTON 

[Rising.  ]  Never  mind  ?  A  suit  against  Mildred  \ 
Who  is  there  to  protect  her  but  me?  What  is  the 
suit  you  are  bringing,  Squire? 

SQUIRE 

I  am  for  the  defense,  Colonel.     I  represent  Mrs. 
Page. 
PRESTON 

Defense  !     Has  it  gone  so  far,  sir  ?    Mr.  Page! 

PAGE 
[C.]  Colonel  Preston. 


PRESTON 

What  suit  have  you  against  Mrs.  Page? 
PAGE 

A  civil  action,  sir. 
PRESTON 

No  action  against  a  lady  can  be  civil,  sir.     What 
is  your  complaint  [pause],  Squire? 

SQUIRE 
He  claims  her  property. 

PRESTON 

Has  it  been  mortgaged?    Has  she  been  in  need  ? 

SQUIRE 

He  disputes  the  title. 
PRESTON 

How? 
CAREY 

Never  mind,  gran'pa  !     Don't  tell  him,  Squire  ! 

PRESTON 

Carey,  Carey  dear,  be  quiet.     I  am  waiting,  Squire. 
[Pause.]  Colonel  Moberly 

MOBERLY 

[Z.]  He  denies  her  marriage  to  his  brother, 
PRESTON 

What! 

72 


PAGE 

It  did  not  occur. 

CAREY 
Gran'pa 

PRESTON 

And  you  are  on  my  premises  !  You  bring  that  lie 
to  me  !  You  have  it  in  your  heart,  and  take  my 
hand — you  were  walking  with  your  arm  through 
mine. 

CAREY 
Gran'pa ! 

[Enter  DECATUR,  who  goes  back  of  table.  ] 
PRESTON 
Be  quiet  ! 

CAREY 

[  To  the  men.]  But  he  is  not  strong  enough  for  this. 

PRESTON 

It  needs  no  strength.  Colonel  Moberly,  you  are  my 
friend.  Decatur,  bring  that  case  of  pistols.  Ray- 
mond Page 

[  Throws  a  glass  of  water  in  PAGE'S  face.] 
[Picture  —  everybody    standing    and    alert; 

MOBERLY      Seizes      PAGE.        ARMSTRONG       and 
CAREY  hold  PRESTON.  ] 

73 


PAGE 

You  are  an  old  man,  sir.  Your  years  protect  you. 
I  will  meet  any  friend  you  name. 

[Exits  after  a    meaning  look  at   MOBEBLY. 
Old  man  sinks  on  chair,  CAREY  by  him.  ] 

SQUIRE 

[Rushing  up  C.  ]  I  shall  throw  him  in  the  bayou 
with  the  frogs. 

MOBERLY 

[Restraining  him  up  L.  C.  ]  Squire,  as  a  member 
of  the  Judiciary,  you  cannot.  Colonel  Preston  has 
named  me  as  his  friend.  I  will  meet  Mr.  Page. 

CAREY 

[At  table.]  Come,  gran'pa,  your  breakfast — take 
some  coffee. 

PRESTON 

Not  now,  my  dear — not  now.  I  will  go  inside. 
[Rises — totters.]  Decatur. 

DECATUR 
Mars  Preston. 

[DECATUR  comes  down   and  takes  PRESTON'S 

arm  quickly] 
PRESTON 
My  friends,  excuse  me. 

[Exit  with  CAREY  and  DECATUR  into  the  house] 

74 


SQUIRE 

[  C.I  I  haven't  seen  Colonel  Preston  so  animated 
for  years. 

ARMSTRONG 

[JR.  C.]  It  doesn't  look  very  encouraging  for  the 
meeting  this  morning. 
MOBERL 

\L.  C.]  lo  does  not,  sah. 

[Miter  MRS.  PAGE  from  house.] 
MRS.  P. 

[On  steps.]  Colonel  Moberly 

MOBERLY 

Yes. 

MRS.  P. 

What  is  the  matter  with  Colonel  Preston  ? 

[ARMSTRONG  in  dumb  shoic  to  SQUIRE,  and  exit 

with  him  above  house] 
MOBERLY 

An  unpleasant  interview  with  Mr.  Raymond  Page. 
MRS.  P. 

[  On  steps.  ]  About  me  ? 
MOBERLY 

Yes,  madam.  [She  leans  against  post.]  Mrs. 
Page,  there  was  a  circumstance  that  makes  a  meet- 
ing necessary. 

75 


MRS.  P. 

A  meeting  ? 

MOBERLY 

An  affair  of  honah. 

MRS.  P. 
Nothing  can  make  that  necessary,  Colonel  Moberly. 

MOBERLY 

Colonel  Preston  threw  some  water  into  Mr.  Page's 
countenance.  [MRS.  p.  starts.}  A  mere  soup9on  as  to 
quantity,  but  enough  to  convey  his  meaning. 

MRS.  P. 

Well— [meaning  "  Speak  on!  " — comes  down.] 

MOBERLY 
Mr.  Page  has  asked  the  meeting. 

MRS.  P. 

[Scornfully.]  With  that  old  man  ? 

MOBERLY 

[Impressively,  after  a  pause.]  With — me. 

MRS.  P. 

Colonel,  this  must  not  be. 
MOBERLY 

It  cannot  be  avoided.  Mrs.  Page — your  pardon — 
hear  me,  please.  I — I — esteem  it  an  honor  to  rep- 
resent you — to  resent  Mr.  Page's  insinuations.  I 
should  like  a  double  right  to  do  so. 

76 


MRS.  P. 

A  double  right  ? 

MOBERLY 

The — exigency — what  might  be  termed  the  mili- 
tary exigency  of  the  hour — excuses  my — precipita- 
tion. I  am  making  a  formal  proposition  of  marriage. 

MRS.  P. 

It  is  your  chivalry,  Colonel,  that  prompts  you. 

MOBERLY 

My  sentiment,  believe  me.  I  have  always  admired 
you.  Your  answer. 

MRS.  P. 

You  are  a  very  singular  gentleman,  Colonel  Mo- 
berly,  but  I  must  believe  you  serious. 

MOBERLY 
Mrs.  Page! 

MRS.  PAGE 

I  do  not  know  how  to  answer  you. 
MOBERLY 

Consider  it  until  this  evening.  And,  Mrs.  Page,  I 
think  it  but  fair  to  both  you  and  Squire  Tucker,  to 
say  that  my  offer  is  not  without  competition.  The 
Squire  admires  you. 

MRS.  P. 

You  are  jesting,  Colonel.     The  Squire 

77 


MOBERLY 

[Interrupting  her.]    A   very   manly,  true-hearted 
gentleman,  Mrs.  Page.     He  has  had  few  advantages, 
but  I  respect  his  sincerity. 
MRS.  P. 

[Half  rebuked.]      Colonel     Moberly — I — respect 
yours. 
MOBERLY 

[Sowing.]  Thank  you,  madam. 
MRS.  P. 

It  is   hardly  necessary  for  me   to  consider  your 
offer.     It  is  no  secret  here  around  Talladega,  that 
when    a  girl,   I    loved  Harry   Preston.     We    were 
cousins,  and 
MOBERLY 

I  know. 
MRS.  P. 

I  married  Dabney  Page — for — worthy  motives — 
but  I  have  loved  all  these  years — that  cousin.  I  do 
not  think  I  could  ever  do  more  than  respect  another. 
MOBERLY 

Consider  me  a  suitor  for  that  respect.     Take  till 
this  evening,  Mrs.  Page.     It  may  be  that  to-morrow 
evening  my  Atlanta  will  need  a  friend. 
MRS.  P. 

No — no;  I  will  not  consent  to  that  affair.  It  is 
barbarous.  I— I — 


[Enter  DAVENPORT,  R.  C.,  through  gate,  carrying 
small  valise.  MRS.  PAGE  sees  him  and  pauses. 
MOBERLY  turns.} 

DAVENPORT 

Is  Colonel  Preston  here  ? 

MOBERLY 

You  are — Captain  Davenport,  sah  ? 
DAVENPORT 

I  am. 
MOBERLY 

I  am  Colonel  Edgefield  Moberly,  sah — very  happy 
to  meet  you,  and  welcome  you  to  Talladega  County. 
We  have  the  pleasure  of  knowing  your  Major 
Armstrong. 

DAVENPORT 

[Smiling.']  Yes? 
MOBERLY 

[Crosses  O.]  This  is  Mrs.  Mildred  Page.  Mrs. 
Page,  I  present  Captain  Davenport  of  the  Gulf  and 
Midland  Railway.  [They  bow.}  Just  set  your  knap- 
sack down,  sail,  and  I  will  send  a  niggah  for  it.  I  will 
find  Colonel  Preston,  sah. 

[Exits  with  effusion,  back  of  house.} 
[DAVENPORT   looks   about — sets   valise  L.   of 
table.] 

79 


MRS.  P. 

[At  steps.]    You  were   expected  earlier,  Captain 
Davenport. 

DAVENPORT 

The  stage  was  delayed.     Are  your  May  mornings 
all  like  this — so  warm  ? 

MRS.  P. 

We  do  not  think  this  warm.     Is  it  your  first  visit 
to  Alabama  ? 

[Enter  DECATUB.] 
DAVENPORT 

I  have  been  here  before. 
DECATUR 

I  take  your  valise,  sir  ? 
DAVENPORT 

{Back  of  table.'}  A  little  carefully,  please;  the  lock 
is  broken. 

[DECATUR  starts  at  the  sound  of  the  voice.] 

DECATUR 

Afo'  God!     Why— wh— why 

DAVENPORT 

I  beg  your  pardon ! 

DECATUR 

[Sotto  voce]  Ghosts  sure.     [  Goes  off.] 
DAVENPORT 

[R.   C.]I  seem  to  have  frightened  the  old  man. 
80 


MRS.  P. 
As  you  startled  me,  Captain. 

DAVENPORT 
Startled  you  ? 

MRS.  P. 

The  voice  is  very  like  that  of  a  son  of  Colonel 
Preston. 

DAVENPORT 
Harry  Preston  ? 

MRS.  P. 
You  know  the  name  ? 

DAVENPORT 

I  know  the  man.  [Pause.]  And  the  voice  startled 
Decatur.          , 
MRS.  P. 

Decatur  !     You  know 

DAVENPORT 

I  knew  him — as  I  knew  you,  Mildred — as  you — 
[extending  his  hand]  must  know  me. 

[She  gives  her  hand — breathes  quickly — starts 
to  faint — recovers  herself— grasps  her  heart.] 
MRS.  P. 

[Earnestly  but  quiet.]  Harry  ! 

DAVENPORT 

[More  quietly.]  Yes.   [Embraces  her.] 
81 


MRS.   P. 

[Looking  up.]  I  cannot  tell  you — how — how  glad 
I  am.  [Almost  in  whisper.] 

DAVENPORT 

[In  same  key.]  Your  tears  do  that. 

MRS.  P. 

[Going  from  his  breast.]  Your  father 

DAVENPORT 

Never  mind  him  now.  [Embrace.] 

MRS.  P. 
Tell  me  why  you  are  here. 

DAVENPORT 

[Leaving  her]  Because  it  is  spring — because  every 
breeze  from  the  South  for  eighteen  years  has  brought 
its  message  to  me. 

MRS.  P. 

Then  why  not  come  before  ? 
DAVENPORT 

[Holding   her  hand  and  looking   at   the  house] 
You  must   know — my  letters  came  back   unopened. 
He  refused  to  read  them.     I  come  now,  because  there 
is  the  excuse  of  business. 
MRS.  P. 

But  you  come  as — Captain  Davenport. 
DAVENPORT 

Because  I  am  Captain  Davenport. 
82 


MRS.   P. 
What? 

DAVENPORT 

{Removing  gloves.]  Yes — General  Davenport 
died  in  my  arms  on  the  field,  and  dying  he  said, 
"Preston,  you  are  a  boy  whom  I  have  loved.  I  have 
left  what  worldly  goods  I  have,  to  you — as  I  leave 
you  my  blessing  now."  I  valued  the  blessing  more 
than  I  valued  the  material  bequest,  because  the  next 
letter  from  the  South  brought  me  a  father's  curses — 
brought  rne  the  news  of  Margery's  death. 

MRS.  P. 

In  my  arms,  Harry. 
DAVENPORT 

[Looking  in  her  face.]  You  were  kind  to  her, 
dear — I  knew. 

MRS.   P. 
But  go  on. 

DAVENPORT 

Out  of  gratitude  to  dear  old  Davenport,  I  took  his 
name — his  little  money  gave  me  some  leverage — my 
civil  engineering  threw  me  with  the  railroads. 
[  Crosses  LJ\  I  have  succeeded — if  bank  accounts 
and  embankments  and  new  cities  in  the  wilderness 
mean  success. 


MRS.    P. 

[  C.]  And  is  it  not  success  ? 
DAVENPORT 

I  do  not  know — I  feel  my  years.  Time  has  left 
its  warning  on  the  temples.  I  am  strong  enough  in 
the  material  sense,  but  rny  life  is  empty  and  unprom- 
ising. I  have  thought  so  much  of  late — about — my 
father. 

MRS.  P. 

[Crosses  to  table.]  He  will  be  so  glad  to  see  you. 
He  talks  constantly  of  you. 

DAVENPORT 

[Turns].  Kindly? 

MRS.  P. 

Oh,  very!  [He  sits  with  emotion  It.  C.]  He  will  be 
glad  to  see  you.  [She  takes  his  hand.] 

DAVENPORT 

No.  Do  not  tell  him  unless  he  knows  me.  I  wish 
to  see  him  first.  I  tried  to  persuade  myself  I  didn't 
love  him,  Mildred. 

MRS.  P. 

I  know.  \Back  of  his  chair.] 

DAVENPORT 

Of  course  you  do — you  have  suffered.  It  becomes 
so  different  at  forty,  doesn't  it  ? 


MRS.   P. 

DAVENPORT 

When  the  survey  of  this  road  was  projected,  the 
line  ran  five  miles  from  here.  I  loved  the  maps — I 
loved  the  names.  Talladega,  on  the  chart,  was  only 
the  width  of  a  dot  away.  I  said,  "  It  shall  cross  his 
swampy  plantation,  and  bring  him  riches." 

MRS.  P. 

But  he  does  not  want  it. 

DAVENPORT 

So  Armstrong  writes  me — but  I  shall  persuade 
him.  [Enter  CAREY.]  I  am  to  meet 

CAREY 

Captain  Davenport. 

DAVENPORT 

[Quickly.]  What!  [Rises  and  turns.] 

CAREY 

Good-morning,  Captain. 

DAVENPORT 

[Hoarsely.]  My  God! 
CAREY 

[Timidly.]  Gran'pa  will  be  out  in  a  moment. 
Cousin  Mildred — gran'pa  says  make  Captain  Daven- 
port at  home.  [Exit] 

85 


DAVENPORT 

[Crossing  L.    C.]  At  home — my    God — that    is 

Margery's  face — Mildred 

MRS.  P. 

It  is  Margery's  daughter. 
DAVENPORT 

[At  porch.]  Margery's  daughter 

MRS.  P. 

And  yours.     Did  you  not  know — why  Margery's 
death 

DAVENPORT 

Was    this?  [To  porch     and,    weeping,    turning 
quickly. ~\  Impossible  ! 

MRS.  P. 
You  saw  Margery  the  last  time  at  that  gate. 

DAVENPORT 

[  Quickly.'}  When  we  came  through  with  Sherman 

yes. 

MRS.   P. 

You  met  at  my  house. 

DAVENPORT 

[Leaning  on  porch  post.]  Yes — yes,  I  remember. 

MRS.   P. 

Your  father  never  let  her  come  back  here.     She 
lived  with  me  till — she  died.     The  baby,  Carey,  has 

86 


always    been    with     me.      Harry — Harry — does    it 
grieve  you  ? 

DAVENPORT 

[Recovering.]  Grieve  me-:— grieve  me — It  is  the 
sight  of  land  to  a  starving  shipwreck. 

[Incidental  music,  "  The  Vacant   Chair"  pp. 
andante.  Enter  PRESTON  and  CAREY]. 

MRS.  P. 
Harry — your  father — be  careful.  [  <7.] 

CAREY 

[  On  porch. ,]  Captain  Davenport,  this  is  my  gran'- 
pa — Colonel  Preston. 

DAVENPORT 

[Crosses  C.~\  Colonel  Preston.  [ The  old  man  comes 
down  and  they  shake  hands.] 

PRESTON 

I  am  pleased  to  meet  you,  Captain — but  I'm  afraid 
our  dull  old  place  will  seem  sleepy  to  the  energetic 
Captain  Davenport. 
DAVENPORT 

It  is  a  rest,  sir. 

[PRESTON  turns,  consults  CAREY.   Goes  back] 

How  changed — how  changed  !  [To  MRS.  p.,  but 
watching  PRESTON.]  My  voice  does  not  startle  him 
— and  the  old  eyes  are  grown  too  dim  with  age. 

87 


PRESTON 

[Turning  to  DAVENPORT.]  I  have  been  very  much 
delayed  with  breakfast,  Captain  Davenport,  and  I 
fear  it  is  cold,  but  I  shall  be  pleased  to  have  you 
join  us.  [  Tarns  to  house — ascends  steps.] 

DAVENPORT 

[Sotto  voice]  My  father — and  my  child  ! 

[Impulsively  starts  to  embrace  them — MRS.  p. 
restrains  him.] 

[Incidental  music,  forte.] 


CURTAIN. 


88 


ACT  III. 

SCENE  :  Ruined  gate-way,  C.  Masonry  post,  R., 
standing;  the  other,  L.,  in  ruins.  Virginia 
creepers  over  both.  Fragment  of  wall  on  either 
side.  Background  of  tropical  shrubbery.  Cal- 
cium on  for  moon,  illuminating  wall  and  front 
of  stage  only.  All  back  of  wall  in  almost  total 
darkness.  Footlights  down  to  a  glow.  No 
border  lights.  Song  off  by  negroes  before  rise  of 
curtain,  " Carry  me  back" continued  diminuendo 
after  curtain  is  up. 

DISCOVERED  :  DAVENPORT  and  MRS.  PAGE. 

DAVENPORT 

[(7.]  Yes,  just  such  a  niglit  as  this,  Mildred,  I 
stood  here  with  her.  The  old  gate  was  in  its  proud 
perfection  then,  both  posts  standing.  Beyond  the 
bayou  there,  the  Confederate  camp  fires  were  like 
stars, 
MRS.  P. 

[Leaning  against  post. ,]  Then  Lathrop  was  a  babe 
in  arms  ;  but  I  came  here  to  see  you  too,  when  Mar- 
gery said  you  had  dared  to  come. 

89 


DAVENPORT 

You  did,  dear  girl.  It  seems  only  a  night  ago  that 
she  carae  down  this  path,  with  old  Decatur.  [Mus- 
ingly.']  Nineteen  years — and  when  the  air  grew 
heavy  with  the  dew — you  took  us  to  your  house. 

MRS.  P. 
It  brings  back  the  time  so  vividly. 

DAVENPORT 

Yes  ;  when  I  came  up  this  morning  the  weedy 
smell  of  the  swampland  brought  the  dead  years 
back — we  were  children  again,  Mildred,  wading  for 
pond  lilies  ;  and  to-night  this  magic  odor  of  magnolia 
restores  the  shattered  gossamer  of  all  my  boyish 
dreams.  Those  negro  voices  from  the  bayou  in  the 
same  old  songs 

MRS.  P. 
Ah,  but  the  years 

DAVENPORT 

The  years  have  brought  their  pictures.  It  is 
beautiful— beautiful  with  its  decay.  This  old 
sentinel  gate-post  watching  by  his  sleeping  com- 
rade, and  the  creepers  [touches  the  vines]  in 
their  charity  have  covered  every  wound. 

MRS.  P. 

It  was  a  kind  old  gate  to  us. 
90 


DAVENPORT 

To  you  and  me,  Mildred,  yes.  Five  years  before 
that  time,  we  parted  here ;  you  were  leaning  against 
the  post  as  you  are  leaning  now — tears  on  your 

cheek,  and  the  moonlight  made  them  look [  Turns 

to  her.     Pause.] 

MRS.  P. 
Well? 

DAVENPORT 

[Half  surprised.]  Look — as  they  look  now,  and  I — 
I  was  weak  enough  to  do  their  bidding,  and  go 
away.  Mildred,  why  are  you  weeping  ? 

MRS.  P. 

Habit,  I  suppose.  On  such  nights  as  this,  I've 
wept,  if  you  call  this  weeping,  for  twenty  years — and 
more. 

DAVENPORT 

[Earnestly  to  her.]  I  loved  you,  Mildred,  very, 
very  much. 

MRS.  P. 

I  think  you  did. 
DAVENPORT 

[Turning  away]  What  sorcery  there  is  in  the  air  ! 
[Inhales  heavily]  Dead  thoughts,  dead  hopes  are 
breathing  with  us.  Can  the  conjuring  night  revive  a 
love,  I  wonder  ? 

91 


MRS.  P. 

A  love  ? 
DAVENPORT 

Yes  ;  a  love  that's  dead,  I  fear. 

MRS.  P. 

What  love,  Harry  ? 

DAVENPORT 

The  love  of  the  old  Mildred  for  the  cousin  sweet- 
heart. 

MRS.  P. 

Do  you  think  that  ever  died  ?  Do  you  think 
because  you  went  away,  I  could  forget  you  ? 

DAVENPORT 
You  said  to  go. 

MRS.  P. 

I  thought  it  for  the  best.  Our  families  both 
opposed  us. 

DAVENPORT 

Yes,  the  audacious  assumption  of  every  generation 
to  regulate  the  heart  affairs  of  the  one  that  follows. 
Such  a  cruel  wrong  ! 

MRS.  P. 

Cruel,  even  if  right. 

DAVENPORT 

I  shall  never  stay  away  again.  [Pause.]  Such  a 
rest !  Home,  father,  a  daughter,  Mildred. 

92 


MRS.  P. 

When  will  you  tell  him  ?' 
DAVENPORT 

To-night  perhaps,  or  to-morrow.  He  spoke  of  his 
son  once  to-day,  and  my  heart  failed  me. 

MRS.  P. 

He  talks  of  you  always. 
DAVENPORT 

Never  in  anger  ? 

MRS.  P. 

Never  !  He  has  spoken  of  you  tenderly  for  the 
last  twelve  years. 

DAVENPORT 

Have  I  not  written  in  that  time  ? 
MRS.  P. 

No,  and  longer. 

DAVENPORT 
My  blind  resentment.     Is  that  he,  coming  there  ? 

MRS.  P. 

[Looking  through  gate  to  7?.]  That  is  the 
Colonel,  dear  old  soul !  I  promised  he  might  escort  rne 
home.  He  is  very  much  depressed  to-night,  and  I 
must  make  him  still  more  unhappy.  Are  you  sure 
you  can  prevent  that  meeting? 

93 


DAVENPORT 

Not  sure.  When  you  told  me  of  it,  I  asked  the 
Colonel  to  let  me  be  his  representative.  I  have  seen 
Mr.  Page's  second — I  will  see  Page  himself  before  the 
affair.  Have  no  fear.  [  Crosses  RJ] 

[Enter  MOBEELT  R.  C.    MRS.  P.  goes  L.  C.~\ 
MOBERLY 

[C.]  My  dear  Mrs.  Page,  here  you  are.  Miss 
Carey  said  you  were  about  the  grounds.  Mrs. 
Stockton  has  gone  on  to  your  house  with  Squire 
Tucker. 

MRS.  P. 

[L.  C.]  Captain  Davenport  is  with  me. 
DAVENPORT 

[Lighting  cigar.]  Here,  Colonel. 
MRS.  P. 

Mrs.  Stockton  is  my  guest  to-night  ;  we  must  go, 
Colonel. 

MOBERLY 

All,  yes  !  This  is  the  kind  of  a  night,  Captain,  that 
we  pride  ourselves  upon  here  in  Alabama. 

DAVENPORT 

I  am  willing  to  admit  that  your  Southern  moons 
seem  brighter  than  our  colder  ones. 

94 


MOBERLY 

More  gold  in  them,  sah — more  heart  in  them,  and  I 
contend,  sah,  that  a  girl  raised  under  them  has  got 
more  music  and  more  poetry  in  her  soul,  sah. 

[Inhales  effusively  and  glares  at  MRS.  P.] 

DAVENPORT 

I  think  that,  too  ;  and  this  old  place  is  like  some 
enchanted  ruin  in  its  decay. 

MOBERLY 

All  of  the  ruin,  Captain,  is  not  decay.  This  old 
gate  was  battered  down,  sah. 

DAVENPORT 

Battered  down  ? 
MOBERLY 

Yes,  sah.  Some  of  Sherman's  flank  got  as  far  down 
as  this.  Our  Colonel  Cavanaugh  made  a  stand 
against  the  Yankees  at  this  very  gate.  See  here, 

sah. 

[Goes  to  broken  post,  and  drawing  vines 

aside,  shows  dismantled  gun.] 
DAVENPORT 

[R.  C.]  A  brass  field  piece. 
MOBERLY 

[L.  C.]  Yes,  sah,  a  cannon.  The  shot  that  dis- 
mantled it  shattered  this  post,  and  killed  Colonel 

95 


Cavanaugh  and  gunner  number  three  of  this  piece. 
It  has  been  here  ever  since. 

[MBS.  P.  sits  on  ruined  wall,  L.  ] 

DAVENPORT 

Is  it  possible  ? 

[Looks  closely  at  gun.  ] 

MOBERLY 

Strange  as  it  may  seem,  sah,  that  gun  is  really  the 
nucleus  of  the  Talladega  Light  Artillery. 

DAVENPORT 

Indeed  ?    Is  the  organization  so  old  ? 

MOBERLY 

It  does  not  antedate  the  war,  sah ;  the  Talladega 
Light  Artillery  was  recruited  only  six  years  ago, 
when  the  comity  felt  the  need  of  some  military 
organization  for  its  moral  salutary  influence  upon 
the  blacks,  and  called  upon  me  to  undertake  the 
work.  , 

DAVENPORT 

I  see. 
MOBERLY 

Starting  as  we  did,  we  could  of  course  have  made 
it  a  cavalry  or  an  infantry  company ;  but  knowing 
that  this  piece  was  lying  here,  we  made  it  Light 
Artillery. 


DAVENPORT 

[Amused.]    Yes,  yes ! 

MOBERLY 

Imagine  our  surprise  when  Colonel  Preston, 
attaching  certain  sentimental  values  to  its  juxta- 
position with  his  gate,  declined  to  consent  to  its 
appropriation. 

DAVENPORT 
I  understand. 

MOBERLY 

Yes,  sail.     It  was  a  serious  disappointment,  but  we 
still  retain  the  hope  that  Colonel  Preston  will  ulti- 
mately endow  the  Talladega  Light  Artillery  with 
that  gun. 
DAVENPORT 

In  the  meantime  I  suppose  the  battery  is  able  to 
drill. 
MOBERLY 

Oh,  yes,  sab,  we  have  what  we  call  our  mock-turtle 
gun — for  practice,  and  we  have  a  superb  organiza- 
tion. The  Light  Artillery  are  almost  a  balance  of 
power,  Captain  Davenport,  in  our  primary  elections; 
my  nomination  for  Congress  is  a  tribute  of  their 
appreciation.  They  did  not  permit  a  blamed  niggah 
to  the  caucus— and,  sah — allow  me  to  say,  sah,  they 
air  a  unit  on  the  subject  of  the  Gulf  and  Midland 
Railway. 

97 


DAVENPORT 

I  thank  them,  Colonel,  through  you — and  permit 
me  to  say  that  the  Gulf  and  Midland  will  take 
pleasure  in  endowing  the  Talladega  Light  Artillery 
with  four  guns,  if  they  will  accept. 

MOBERLY 

Captain  Davenport  [takes  his  hand  and  wrings  it]^ 
you  are  too  generous  !  Mrs.  Page,  my  arm,  madame. 
[  Goes  to  wing;  turns  in  a  burst  of  magnanimity  J\ 
Captain  Davenport,  from  this  moment  you  air  an 
honorary  member  of  the  Talladega  Light  Artillery  ! 

[Exit  with  MRS.  P.] 
DAVENPORT 

[Laughing  softly. ,]  Bless  the  old  war  horse ! 
He's  like  them  all — big-hearted  and  loyal  if  you  once 
get  through  their  insulation  of  politeness  and  pom- 
posity. But  the  new  generation  is  pushing  them 
from  their  hobbies.  They  are  going  as  the  old  wall 
here  has  gone.  [Pause.  Pulls  vines  away  and  looks 
at  gun.]  And  time  in  its  tenderness,  I  hope,  will 
hide  their  faults,  as  it  has  covered  these — with 

beauties. 

[Exit  L.] 

Song,  "  Little  Consolation"  by  negroes  to  empty 
stage.  After  quite  a  wait  PRESTON  comes 
slowly  through  the  gate  and  stands  by  post,  reflect- 
ively smoking.  He  is  looking  of  toward  the 
bayou,  and  indicates  the  retrospection  of  dream- 
93 


ing  senility.  The  music  continues.  CAEEY  enters 
and  slips  her  arm  through  the  old  man's.  He 
looks  down  and  pats  her  cheek.  She  snuggles  to 
him.  PRESTON  looks  away  again  and  wipes 
his  eyes.  TJiey  advance  a  few  steps.  CAREY 
releases  her  hold  and,  stepping  back  cautiously, 
takes  a  magnolia  from  her  throat,  and  fastens  it 
in  the  vines  on  the  upright  post.  She  then  rejoins 
PRESTON,  and  diplomatically  and  caressingly 
cajoles  him  into  an  exit  R.  The  music  continues. 
ARMSTRONG  comes  through  the  gate-way,  looks 
after  PRESTON  and  CAREY,  goes  to  post,  takes 
the  magnolia,  kisses  it,  and  speaks .] 

ARMSTRONG 

She  will  come  back.  [ Puts  the  flower  in  his  lapel 
— music  diminishes.]  Dear,  dear  little  Carey  ! 
Strange  that  I  should  go  through  the  social  seasons 
of  the  Northern  cities  to  fall  hopelessly  in  love  with 
this  little  girl,  who  has  never  seen  a  street  car.  But 
then — Niagara  and  the  Palisades  never  impressed 
me  like  this  sleepy  bayou  has.  She  is  coming — and 
alone.  To-morrow  I  must  leave  this  place,  but  I 
can't  leave  her.  [Enter  CAREY.]  Little  girl — so 
sweet  of  you  to  come! 

CAREY 

Mr.  Ned [He  draws  her  to  him.]    You  got 

the  flower  ? 

99 


ARMSTRONG 

In  both  arms. 
CAREY 

What  are  we  to  do  ?     Gran'pa  is  coming — I  only 
ran  ahead. 

ARMSTRONG 

There  is  nothing  to  be  done.     I  will  speak  to  him. 
[DAVENPORT  comes   on  behind  the  broken  wall  and 
overhears;  the  light  of  his  cigar  shows  to  audience.] 
CAREY 

But   if  he   should   say   no — and   Cousin   Mildred 
thinks  he  will— what  will  you  do  ? 
ARMSTRONG 

What  will  you  do,  Carey  ? 
CAREY 

I— I  shall  die. 

ARMSTRONG 

Here? 
CAREY 

[Inquiringly]     Here  ? 

ARMSTRONG 

On  this  old  place  ? 

CAREY 

Where  else  ? 

ARMSTRONG 

With  me,     We  won't  die,  either,     Will  you  go  ? 
100 


CAREY 

You — you  would  not  wish  me  to. 

ARMSTRONG 

I  do  wish  you  to.     Will  you  go  ? 
CAREY 

Ask  gran'pa  first— you  will  ask  gran'pa  first  ? 
ARMSTRONG 

Surely.     I  will  ask  him  now. 

[Eater  PRESTON.     Song  off  ceases.] 

PRESTON 

Carey,  dear [Pause.]     Who  is  with  you  ? 

CAREY 

Mr.  Armstrong,  gran'pa. 
PRESTON 

Was  that  why  yon  ran  ahead  from  me  ? 
CAREY 

[After  looking  at  Armstrong.]     Yes — sir. 

[  Goes  L.  C.] 
ARMSTRONG 

[  C.]     Colonel  Preston 

PRESTON 

[R.  (?.]     Mr.  Armstrong. 
ARMSTRONG ' 

I  have  to  thank  you  for  a  very  pleasant  week  in. 
your  home  here. 

101 


PRESTON 

You  are  kind  to  speak  of  it,  sir,  but  we  are  the 
debtors.  You've  rather  brightened  up  the  old  place 
a  bit.  Carey's  father  was  a  hurdle-jumper,  and 
that  sort  of  thing,  and  it's — kind  o'  like  the  old 
days  to  hear  a  horse  come  in  on  a  canter  again. 

ARMSTRONG 

My  business  takes  me  away  to-morrow. 

PRESTON 

We  shall  hope  to  see  you  again  sometime.  I'm 
sure  Carey  joins  me  in  the  invitation,  though  she 
doesn't  say  anything. 

CAREY 

Of  course  I  do,  gran'pa. 
ARMSTRONG 

Colonel  Preston,  I've  been  here  only  a  week,  but  I 
like  the  country  very  much. 

PRESTON 

It's  a  pretty  season  with  us. 
ARMSTRONG 

And,  Colonel  Preston — I  don't  think  I  ever  met 
a  young  lady  that  seemed  so  sincere — and — so  good 
— and — so — interesting  as  Miss  Carey  is. 
PRESTON 

Carey,  dear.  [Crossest  (7.,  with  a  little  alarm. 
She  takes  his  hand.] 

102 


ARMSTRONG 

\L.  C.]  I've — become  very — fond  of  her,  sir — in 
fact,  Colonel  Preston— I  think  more  of  her  than  I 
ever  thought  it  possible  a  man  could  care  for  a  girl. 
I — love  her. 

PRESTON 
My  dear — you'd  better  go  to  the  house. 

CAREY 
Mr.  Ned 

PRESTON 

[Severely.]  What  ! 

ARMSTRONG 

I  think  I  speak  her  wishes,  Colonel  Preston — I  am 
sure  she  loves  me,  too. 

PRESTON 

But,  sir,  you  are  a  stranger  here,  you — are  from  the 
North. 

ARMSTRONG 

I  am — but — Carey  loves  me. 

PRESTON 

No— no,  sir — she  is  but  a  child.  You  take  advan- 
tage of  her  inexperience.  She  knows  nothing  of  the 
world,  Mr.  Armstrong. 

ARMSTRONG 

She  will  never  know  more,  living  here, 
103 


PRESTON 

She  was  born  here,  sir.  She  would  die  in  your 
country.  No — no,  I  cannot  hear  of  it.  You  must  not 
see  Mr.  Armstrong  again,  my  dear.  Say  good-night 
to  him  now.  The  North  robbed  me  of  everything 
that  made  life  worth  living,  sir,  but  this  child.  And 
they  would  take  her,  too.  No  !  Go  to  the  house, 
Carey.  Mr.  Armstrong — good-night  ! 

ARMSTRONG 

Carey — [Pause.] 

[CABET  exit] 

You  are  cruel,  Colonel  Preston;  there  is  something 
more  important  than  your  prejudices. 

PRESTON 

What  is  it,  sir — your  wishes  ?  I  thought  I  was  so 
poor,  Mr.  Armstrong,  that  I  should  never  see  one  of 
your  Northern  gentlemen  again.  Ah — ah — but  I'd 
forgotten  that  my  little  girl  might  be  coveted. 

ARMSTRONG 

Your  resentment,  sir,  has  no  place  where  that  little 
girl's  happiness  is  concerned. 

PRESTON 

Your — happiness — you    mean.     She  could  not  be 

content  with  you — you  are  too  old  for  her,  sir.     You 

must  be  thirty — she's  only  eighteen.      She  belongs 

here.     You  wouldn't  know  how  to  treat  her  in  your 

104 


home.     She'd  die  there  as  quickly  as  that  flower  on 
your  coat,  sir.    Do  magnolias  grow  in  Massachusetts  ? 

[DAVENPOET  appears  back  of  wall J\ 

DAVENPORT 

[Back  of  ruined  post  J\ 

I've  seen  them  growing  there,  under  proper  condi- 
tions.    But  women's  hearts,   Mr.    Preston,  are  not 
magnolias,    and  if  they    wore,  I've    seen   magnolias 
stifled  in  Alabama.     [Comes  into  gateway.] 
PRESTON 

[Giving  way  to  R.  C.]      Captain  Davenport. 
DAVENPORT 

[  <7.]  I'm  speaking  for  my  young  friend  here. 
PRESTON 

He  needs  no  attorney  ;  he  has  spoken  for  himself. 
DAVENPORT 

Then  you  need  one,  and  I  shall  speak  for  you. 
PRESTON 

To  whom,  pray  ? 
DAVENPORT 

To  yourself. 

[To  ARMSTRONG.]    And  my  boy,  I  can  talk  more 
freely  with  him,  if  you  leave  us. 

ARMSTRONG 

Thank  you,  Captain.     I  prefer  to  do  so. 

[ExitL.] 


DAVENPORT 

Colonel  Preston,  there  is  a  great  danger  of  a 
mistake  in  this  matter.  You — and  I — are — more 
nearly — through  with — everything,  than  those  young 
folks  are. 

PRESTON 

I  know  my  years,  Captain  Davenport. 

DAVENPORT 

Hearts  are  a  little  bigger  than  sectional  resentment. 

PRESTON 

I  don't  know  that  they  are,  sir.  Sectional  resent- 
ment broke  my  heart.  Your  North  came  to  my 
peaceful  little  corner  here,  and  ruined  it.  They  took 
my  only  boy.  They  impoverished  me  in  possession, 
and  in  affection,  too.  My  heart  was  big  enough,  sir, 
but  it  couldn't  keep  your  cavalry  off  of  my  grave- 
yard. My  colored  servants  loved  me,  but  they  have 
been  driven  away  into  vagabondage  and  theft  and 
ignorance.  My  boy  loved  me,  too,  but — they 
estranged  his  love. 

DAVENPORT 

Mrs.  Page  has  told  me  something  of  him.  She 
says  he  wrote  to  you — that  you  refused  to  see  his 
letters. 

PRESTON 

Mrs.  Page  should  not  speak  of  my  affairs  to  a 
stranger.  I  don't  care  to  talk  of  them,  either.  I  wish 

106 


to  be  left  alone.  I  come  out  here  at  night  because  I 
can  be  alone.  I  don't  want  your  railroads,  Captain, 
screaming  across  my  quiet  bayou.  I  don't  want  any- 
thing from  your  people. 

DAVENPORT 

[  Crossing  to  RJ\  I  respect  your  feeling  in  the  mat- 
ter, Colonel  Preston,  but  I  can't  help  thinking  it  is 
your  personal  view  that  blinds  you.  Things,  some- 
times, are  too  personal  for  a  correct  appreciation. 
The  North  and  South  were  two  sections  when  they 
were  a  fortnight's  journey  apart  by  stages  and  canals. 
But  now  we  may  see  the  sun  rise  in  Pennsylvania, 
and  can  take  supper  the  same  day  in  Talladega.  It 
is  one  country.  Alabama  sends  its  cotton  to  Massa- 
chusetts— some  of  it  grown  very  near  your  grave- 
yards. The  garment  you  have  on  was  woven  twenty 
miles  from  Boston.  Every  summer  Georgia  puts  her 
watermelons  on  the  New  York  docks.  Pennsylvania 
builds  her  furnaces  at  Birmingham.  The  North  took 
some  of  your  slaves  away — yes — but  one  freight  car 
is  worth  a  hundred  of  them  at  transportation.  Our 
resentment,  Colonel  Preston,  is  eighteen  years  behind 
the  sentiment  of  the  day. 

PRESTON 

Mine  is  not,  sir. 

DAVENPORT 

I  think  it  is.     That  little  girl  loves  Mr.  Armstrong. 
107 


He  is  a  manly,  worthy  suitor,  but  you  are  letting  the 
memories  of  '66  come  in  between  them. 

PRESTON 

Memories  ?  They  are  realities  to  me.  Do  you  see 
that  crumbled  post?  It  is  leaning  on  a  cannon. 
Like  that,  my  ruined  life  has,  under  it,  the  realities  of 
that  invasion. 

DAVENPORT 

[  Crosses  L.  C.  ]  I  saw  the  gun.  Have  you  looked 
at  it  lately  ? 

PRESTON 

[C.J  Why,  sir? 

DAVENPORT 

[Drawing  away  the  vines.]  Nature  is  teaching  a 
lesson  from  it.  See  !  a  meadow-lark  has  built  her 
nest  in  the  mouth  of  this  silent  cannon. 

PRESTON 

Well,  sir  ? 
DAVENPORT 

If  it  were  charged,  and  had  a  lanyard  on  it,  this 
feathered  pioneer  would  have  some  rights  we  old  sol- 
diers should  respect.  Colonel  Preston,  let  us  be 
generous  to  the  little  girl. 

1 08 


PRESTON 

Captain  Davenport,  you  seem  incapable  of  appre* 
elating  what  I  feel.  I  cannot  talk  to  you  longer. 
[Goes  jft.] 

DAVENPORT 
Mr.  Preston. 

PRESTON 

No  —  no,  sir. 

[Exit  K] 

DAVENPORT 

[(7.]  I  wonder  bow  much  of  that  I  am  to  blame 
for.  Would  it  have  been  better  to  tell  him  ?  No, 
that  would  look  like  intruding  my  more  immediate 
right.  What  is  this?  [Looking  off.~\ 

Carey  !    Carey  ! 


[Miter  CAREY  and  DECATUB  through  gateway.] 

CAREY 

[C.]  Do  not  come  any  further,  Uncle  Decatur. 

DECATUR 

[ft.   C.]  It's  a  almost  breakin'  de  ole  man's  heart, 
Miss  Carey. 

CAREY 

I  will  come  back  some  time. 
109 


f  Enter  ARMSTRONG,  i.  ] 

ARMSTRONG 
Carey ! 

CAREY 
Mr.  Ned. 

ARMSTRONG 

We  must  be  quick.     The  horses  are  in  the  lane. 

CAREY 
Poor,  poor  gran'pa  !     Be  good  to  him,  Decatur. 

DECATUR 
Yes,  Miss  Carey. 

CAREY 

The  old  place  never  seemed  so  beautiful  before. 
You  are  sure,  Mr.  Ned,  we  will  come  back  ? 

ARMSTRONG 

Quite   sure,   Carey  !     Are   you   crying  ?    Do  you 
regret  it  now  ? 
CAREY 

No,  no.     I  will  go  with  you. 

ARMSTRONG 

I  love  you,  Carey. 

CAREY 

Oh,  I  believe  you!     Good-by,  Decatur.     [Takes  a 
letter  from  her  belt.]     Tell  him  not  to  grieve.     Here, 
take  this  letter — give  it  to  him  in  the  morning, 
no 


DECATUR 

Yes,  Miss  Carey ;  when  he  comes  to  breakfast,  an' 
ax  whar  you  is,  Decatur  give  him  this. 

CAREY 
Mr.  Ned.     [Goes  to  ARMSTRONG.] 

ARMSTRONG 

Come,  come,  little  girl  !     Good-by,  Uncle  Decatur. 
Here's  something  for  your  trouble.     [  Offers  a  coin.\ 

DECATUR 

No,  sah — thank  you,  Mars  Armstrong,  ole  Decatur 
can't  take  it.     It  seems  too  missionary,  sah. 
CAREY 

Good-by,  Decatur — dear  old  Decatur  ! 

ARMSTRONG 

Come!     [Starts  L.} 
DAVENPORT 

[Me- entering  R.~\  Carey  ! 

[ARMSTRONG  and  CAREY  turn.'] 
DAVENPORT 

Come  here,  my  dear.     Won't  you  say  good-by  to 
me? 

CAREY 

Captain  Davenport !     [  Goes  to  him.] 
DAVENPORT 

Decatur ! 

in 


DECATUR 

Mars  Davenport  ! 
DAVENPORT 

Did  you  know  your  young  mistress  was  going 
away  ? 

DECATUR 
Y — yes,  sah. 

DAVENPORT 

You  were  helping  her  ? 

DECATUR 

Yes,  Mars  Davenport ;  Decatur  certainly  was. 

DAVENPORT 
Why? 

DECATUR 
W--why  ? 

DAVENPORT 
Yes,  why  ? 

DECATUR 

Because  'Catur  loves  her,  sah. 

DAVENPORT 

Why  do  you  love  her,  Decatur  ? 

DECATUR 

Why,  sah,  I'se  done  raised  her.  I  raised  her  ma 
too,  e'en  most.  I  loved  her  ma,  too,  sah.  Miss  Carey 
jis'  like  her  ma  used  to  be. 

112 


DAVENPORT 

Give  me  that  letter.  That  will  do.  Go  to  the 
house. 

DECATUR 

Yes,  sah.     [Exit.] 

ARMSTRONG 

Captain  Davenport,  you  do  not  propose  to  interfere 
with  our  movements  ? 

DAVENPORT 

Yes,  Ned,  I  think— I  do. 

ARMSTRONG 

I  shall  not  permit  it.     Carey ! 

CAREY 

Mr.  Armstrong.     [Starting  to  ARMSTRONG.] 

DAVENPORT 

Carey!  [She  pauses  between  them.']  Carey!  [Pauses.] 
[She  goes  back  to  DAVENPORT.]  You  trust  me, 
don't  you  ? 

CAREY 

[Looking  up  at  him,  he  holding  her  hand.  ] 
Yes,  sir.     I — I  trust  Mr.  Armstrong,  too,  Captain. 

DAVENPORT 

That  is  right.  I  trust  Ned  myself.  He  is  very 
manly  and  honorable,  I  think.  He  won't  ask  you  to 
go  with  him. 


ARMSTRONG 

But  I  do  ask  it.  Carey!  [Pause.  She  looks  at 
ARMSTRONG.]  Carey.  [Pause.  CAREY  looks  hypnot- 
ically to  DAVENPORT,  who  is  extending  his  hand 
— goes  to  DAVENPORT,  R.  C.]  Captain  Davenport, 
why  do  you  interfere  in  this  ? 

DAVENPORT 

I  have  the  right  to  do  so. 

ARMSTRONG 

\L.  <7.]  You  have  not  the  right.  You  control  my 
services,  but  you  don't  control  me.  I  resign  from 
your  employ. 

DAVENPORT 

I  can't  allow  you  to  do  so.  You  will  need  the  em- 
ployment in  order  to  provide,  I  hope,  for  this  little 
woman,  who  is  paying  you  the  greatest  compliment 
this  life  will  ever  bring  you.  But,  in  your  impetuous 
way,  you  are  making  it  too  expensive  for  her. 
Carey,  you  know  something  of  your  mother  ? 

CAREY 
Yes,  sir. 

DAVENPORT 

She  came  down  to  this  very  gate  nineteen  years 

ago,  Decatur  with  her — to  meet  her  husband,  not  a 

mere  acquaintance  of  a  week.     Colonel  Preston  had 

forbidden  their  meeting,  and  he  never  allowed  her  to 

114 


come  into  the  house  again.  He  relented,  but  it  was 
too  late.  The  mother  was  dying.  She  gave  her  life 
to  you,  little  girl.  The  old  man  has  lavished  upon  you 
the  tardy  tenderness  he  should  have  given  her.  Do 
riot  repeat  that  hurt  to  him.  You  are  both  young. 
A  year  or  two  at  most  will  see  his  story  told.  Ned  ! 

ARMSTRONG 
Captain  ! 

DAVENPORT 

From  Colonel  Preston's  point  of  view,  we  of  the 
North  have  inflicted  grievous  wrongs  upon  him.  In 
his  hospitality  he  has  forgotten  them  sufficiently  to 
make  you  and  me  his  guests.  Let  us  not  justify 
every  adverse  opinion  by  being  unworthy  of  his 
trust.  Come,  tell  me  you  think  I'm  right. 

ARMSTRONG 

[Pause.      Advances  and  shakes  hands.']      I  think 
you  are,  Captain.     [  Crosses  to  J?.] 
DAVENPORT 

And  so  you  will  go  back?  [To  CAREY.] 

CAREY 

Yes,  I  will. 
DAVENPORT 

That  is  best. 
CAREY 

But — won't  you  talk  to  gran'pa,  Captain  ? 

"5 


DAVENPORT 

Yes,  I  will  do  that. 

CAREY 

I'm  sure  you  can  tell  him. 

DAVENPORT 

I  do  not  think  words  can  affect  him.  He  is  too  in- 
vulnerable to  persuasion.  There  must  be  the  appeal 
of  some  event.  Your  going  would  have  touched  him 
deeply.  Wait — perhaps  you  had  better  go  ! 

ARMSTRONG  AND  CAREY 
What! 

DAVENPORT 

Yes,  that  is  the  most  direct  appeal.  I  will  give  thip 
letter  to  him,  and  tell  him  you  have  gone. 

ARMSTRONG 

Do  you  mean  that  ? 

DAVENPORT 

Not  literally.  Carey  can  go  to  her  Cousin  Mil- 
dred. Yes,  go  there,  Carey,  and  stay  to-night. 

CAREY 

Tt>  Cousin  Mildred's? 
DAVENPORT 

Yes,  to  Cousin  Mildred's. 

CAREY 

But  what  will  Cousin  Mildred  say  ? 
116 


DAVENPORT 

Nothing,  if  you  tell  her   that  Captain  Davenport 
told  you  to  come.     Do  you  trust  me,  dear  ? 

CAREY 

Yes.     I  don't  know  why  I  do,  but  I  trust  you, 
Captain  Davenport. 

DAVENPORT 

Bless  you,  little  woman  !     [Kisses  her  forehead.] 
Good-night. 

CAREY 

[  Going  to  wing,  L.,  and  stopping."]  I — I  am  afraid. 

DAVENPORT 
Of  what  ? 

CAREY 

Afraid  to  cross  the  meadow  alone. 

DAVENPORT 

Ned  will  go  with  you.  [Pause.  ARMSTRONG  crosses 
to  CAREY — pauses — jReturns  and  takes  DAVEN- 
PORT'S hand — pause — goes  to  wing  to  CAREY. 
ARMSTRONG  and  CAREY  exeunt — DAVENPORT 
draws  vines  and  covers  bird's  nest  in  the 
cannon  ;  sits  at  break  in  wall,  L.  C.  Song 
off,  "  Pm  goiri*  back  to  Dixie" 

CURTAIN. 


117 


ACT  IV. 

SCENE:  Same  as  Act  II.     Lights  set  for  early  dawn. 

DISCOVERED:  SQUIRE  entering  \L.\  MOBERLY,  3i., 
from  behind  house.  The  SQUIRE  has  a  case  of 
pistols  under  his  arm. 

MOBERLY 

[R.  C.]  Did  you  discover  anyone,  Squire? 
SQUIRE 

[L.  C.]  Only  the  kitchen  do'  ajar,  Colonel,  and  the 
fire  started.     The  family  evidentty  not  up. 

MOBERLY 

It  is  only  five  o'clock. 
SQUIRE 

Captain  Davenport  knows  the  appointed  hour,  does 
he  not? 

MOBERLY 

He  arranged  it  himself. 
SQUIRE 

I  don't  suppose  he  is  alarmed  ? 
118 


MOBERLY 

He  was  a  Northern  officer,  Squire,  and  I  never 
saw  one  that  wasn't  brave  as  Julius  Caesar. 

SQUIRE 

I  think  this  is  the  guest  chamber  on  this  corner.  I 
will  throw  some  pebbles  at  the  window  and  arouse 
him.  [Business.] 

MOBERLY 

[At  table.]  That  is  the  most  cautious  and  expedi- 
tious method. 

SQUIRE 
I'm  almost  afraid  o'  breaking  one. 

MOBERLY 
He  can't  have  gone  to  the  grove  ? 

SQUIRE 

Hardly.  If  he  doesn't  come,  Colonel,  I  will  repre- 
sent you. 

MOBERLY 
Thank  you,  Squire;  I  have  every  confidence  in  you. 

SQUIRE 

[  (7.J  While  you  was  trying  to  rest  last  night,  Colo- 
nel, I  sat  up  by  the  kitchen  fire,  an'  molded  some 
slugs  of  augmented  size  for  these  dueling  pistols.  If 
one  of  them  takes  effect,  its  action  will  be  final,  I  am 
sure. 

119 


MOBERLY 

You  are  more  than  considerate,  Squire. 

SQUIRE 

Not  at  all,  Colonel.     This  is  a  matter  in  which  I 
believe  in  the  utmost  executive  clemency. 

[Places  case  on  table — MOBERLY  sits  at  table 
and  produces  letters.     SQUIRE  resumes  witli 
pebbles — breaks  window — enter  DECATUR  up 
H.j  with  firewood.] 
DECATUR 

Mornin',  Squire  Tucker. 
SQUIRE 

Mornin',    Decatur.      We    are    trying    to    arouse 
Captain  Davenport. 
DECATUR 

[  CJ\  Captain  Davenport  been  up  fo'  more'n  hour, 
sah.     Walkin'  roun'  de  bayou  an'  rubbin  his  hair. 
SQUIRE 

\L.  C.]  Yo'  heali  that,  Colonel  ? 
MOBERLY 

Yes,  Squire.     None  of  the  other  members  or  guests 
air  awake,  Decatur  ? 

DECATUR 

No,  sah. 
MOBERLY 

Be  careful  not  to  disturb  them. 
120 


DECATUR 

Captain  Davenport  wake  Decatur,  sah.  'Taint 
more'n  five  o'clock,  but  I'se  made  him  a  cup  o' 
coffee.  Yo'  all  have  a  cup  coffee,  sah  ? 

SQUIRE 

Mother  made  us  some,  but  we  didn't  enjoy  our  ap- 
petite. Would  you  like  a  cup  now,  Colonel  ? 

MOBERLY 
I  think  I  would,  squire. 

DECATUR 

Yes,  sah.     Decatur  bring  it  right  heah,  sah. 

[Exit  back  of  house.] 
SQUIRE 

[C.]  Ef  they  is  any  white  folks,  Colonel,  that 
despise  a  niggah,  it's  because  they  neveh  own  one,  I 
say. 

MOBERLY 
Very  true,  Squire. 

SQUIRE 

Who  could  be  more  intelligent  or  discriminatin' 
than  that  old  man  ?  I  really  believe  he  would  have 
voted  the  Democratic  ticket,  if  permitted  to  exercise 
his  ballot. 

[Enter  DAVENPORT,  -Z?.] 

DAVENPORT 

Good-morning,  gentlemen. 

121 


SQUIRE  AND  MOBERLY 
Good-morning,  Captain. 

DAVENPORT 

[Cheerfully. ,]  We  see  the  sun  rise,  don't  we? 

MOBERLY 
Yes,  but  as  Richard  says,  "  where,  to-morrow  ?  " 

DAVENPORT 
True. 

MOBERLY 
Captain 

DAVENPORT 
Colonel 

MOBERLY 

[  With  papers.]  There  air  some  preliminary  steps—- 
in case — there  should  be  any  accident  this  morning. 

DAVENPORT 

I  understand.     [  Crosses  It.     SQUIRE  sits  on  steps.] 

MOBERLY 

The  Squire  and  I  have  been  up  most  of  the  night 
arranging  my  affairs.     He  has  witnessed  these  signa- 
tures.    I  admit  them  in  the  presence  of  you  both. 
You   can   also   witness   them  in — the   event  of— 
[Passes  paper.  ] 

PAVENPORT 
I  understand. 

122 


MOBERLY 

[Other papers.]  Some  provisions  fo'  my  daughter. 
I  have  nominated  Mrs.  Page  as  her  guardian. 

DAVENPORT 

An  excellent  selection. 
MOBERLY 

You  air  more  than  kind,  sah.  I  don't  know  why  I 
should  burden  you,  Captain  Davenport,  a  stranger, 

with  my  personal  matters 

DAVENPORT 

I  beg  you,  Colonel 

MOBERLY 

But  your  very  kindness  invites  it. 
DAVENPORT 

You  honor  me  with  any  trust. 
MOBERLY 

I  have  nominated  Mrs.  Page  Atlanta's  guardian, 
as  an  expression  of  my  confidence  in  her.  I  very 
unintentionally  affronted  her,  Captain.  Believe  me, 
I  esteem  her  very  highly. 

DAVENPORT 

I  can  believe  that  very  readily. 
MOBERLY 

She  also  did  me  the  honah  to  listen  to  a  proposal 
of  marriage  from  me,  although  she  subsequently  de- 
clined it. 

123 


DAVENPORT 
You  have  my  sympathy,  Colonel. 

MOBERLY 

It  did  not  distress  ine,  Captain.  I  had  thought  it 
my  duty  as  a  gentleman,  but  my  affections  had  been 
always  more  than  equally  divided  toward  Mrs. 
Stockton. 

DAVENPORT 

[  Under  standingly.]  Yes. 

MOBERLY 

I  have  left  Mrs.  Stockton  this  letter  [shows  it] 
saying  so,  and  Mrs.  Page,  I  am  sure,  will  say  nothing 
of — the  other  mattah.  [Passes  letter.] 

DAVENPORT 
Of  course  not. 

MOBERLY 

[  Third  letter]  Here  is  a  letter — that  I  am  unde- 
cided about. 

'DAVENPORT 
What  is  it  ? 

MOBERLY 

It  is  to  Mrs.  Page.  She  declined  my  offer,  Captain, 
because  she  still  cherishes  a  regard  for  her  cousin, 
Harry  Preston,  whom  she  thinks  to  be  living,  but 
whose  death  I  have  described  in  the  paper. 

124 


DAVENPORT 

Young  Preston's  death  !     Indeed  ! 

MOBERLY 

[6Y.]  Yes,  sab.      We    were   young   men   together, 
Captain.     After  she  married  Page,  Mr.  Harry  Preston 
also  married — married  Miss  Margery  Clayton.     I  was 
his  best  man. 
DAVENPORT 

Go  on.     [Site  on  table.] 
MOBERLY 

We  belonged  to  the  same  social  organizations. 
We  gave  charades  and  amateur  theatricals  together. 
On  one  occasion,  we  did  the  combat  scene  from 
Macbeth  with  great  success.  He  was  a  West  Pointer, 
and  a  superb  swordsman. 

SQUIRE 

I've  seen  him  take  a  hurdle,  sah,  over  that  wall  and 
split  a  dozen  water-melons  with  his  sabah  in  a  ride  of 
fifty  yards. 
MOBERLY 

Yes,  indeed,  sah. 

SQUIRE 

Every  niggah  on  the  plantation  loved  him. 
MOBERLY 

He  was  very  much  of  your  build  and  deportment, 
Captain,  but  a  little  taller,  I  should  think,  Squire  ? 

125 


SQUIRE 

Half  a  head,  easy. 

DAVENPORT 
But  his  death? 

MOBERLY 

He  was  with  the  North,  I  was  with  the  Confeder- 
acy. We  met  at  Sharpsburg.  1  recognized  him  right 
before  me  with  his  sabah  in  the  air.  Why,  sah, 
with  his  knowledge  of  the  weapon,  I  wouldn't  V 
lasted  any  longer  in  front  of  him,  than  a  snow-ball  in 
perdition.  He  recognized  me,  too,  and  as  we  rode 
together,  he  lowered  his  point  to  our  old  position,  an' 
cried  "  Lay  on,  Macduff."  We  did  our  old  charade 
combat  on  that  field  of  wah,  befo'  the  eyes  of  both 
commands. 

DAVENPORT 

There  are  many  such  instances. 

MOBERLY 

As  we  were  finessing,  two  up  and  two  down,  this 
same  Raymond  Page,  who  was  in  my  command, 
rode  presumably  to  my  rescue,  and  struck  poor 
Harry  Preston  to  the  earth.  We  left  him  dead  on 
the  field. 

DAVENPORT 

[Significantly,  aside.]  So   it  was   Raymond  Page 
who  killed  Harry  Preston. 
126 


[Miter  DECATUR  with  coffee."} 
DECATUR 

Heah  you  are,  gentlemen.  Will  you  all  have  some 
cold  chicken  wif  you'  coffee  ? 

[Sets  coffee  on  table.] 
DAVENPORT 

[It.]  No  thank  you,  Decatur. 
SQUIRE 

Well,  I  wouldn't  mind  a  little  bit  o'  second  joint. 
I  go  with  you,  Decatur. 

[J2zit  with  DECATUR.] 

DAVENPORT 

And  this  letter  contains  that  story  ? 
MOBERLY 

Yes,  sir.  Had  we  not  betteh  start  ? 
DAVENPORT 

There  is  plenty  of  time.     I  expect  a  call  here. 

[Enter  LATHROP  hurriedly  L.  C.  ] 
LATHROP 

Colonel  Moberly — my  mother  has  had  a  night  of 
mental  agony.  She  has  told  me  the  meaning  of  this 
meeting. 

MOBERLY 

Well,  you  certainly  have  no  resentment  toward  me, 
Lieutenant  ? 

127 


LATHROP 

Pardon  me,  if  I  gave  that  impression,  but  this  quar- 
rel is  mine. 

DAVENPORT 

It  is  not  a  matter  for  your  care,  my  boy.  [  Goes 
upL.] 

LATHROP 

I  think  it  is.  Come — let  us  go  to  this  meeting. 
My  mother  and  Mrs.  Stockton  will  be  here  in  a 
moment  to  prevent  it — I 

MOBERLY 

There  is  a  phase  you  overlook.  Your  very  name, 
Lieutenant 

LATHROP 

Cannot  be  in  question  !  It  has  been  in  the  care  of 
my  mother,  a  lady  above  suspicion.  It  is  the  insult 
to  her  I  will  resent. 

DAVENPORT 

[  Up  Z.]  Colonel,  Mr.  Page  is  coming  here.  I  wish 
to  see  him  alone. 

[Enter  SQUIRE  with  chicken  up  stage,  comes  down  R. 

Of  LATH  EOF.  ] 

LATHROP 
I  shall  see  him  first. 

128 


DAVENPORT 

No,  no.  [Sand on  LATHEOP'S  breast.]  There  is  no 
time  to  lose.  Colonel,  kindly  retire  with  our  young 
friend. 

MOBERLY 

[  Taking  LATHROP  by  the  arm.]  Come,  my  boy. 

LATHROP 
Let  me  go ! 

DAVENPORT 

Squire  ! 
SQUIRE 

Come,  come,  Lieutenant.  [  Takes  him.  ] 

LATHROP 

No,  sir.     How  dare  you,  Squire  Tucker  !     Sir  ! 
[MOBERLY  and  SQUIRE  conduct  him  out,  kicking, 
L.  3.] 

[Enter  PAGE  E.  C.] 
PAGE 

Captain  Davenport  ? 

DAVENPORT 

[At porch.]  Yes,  sir. 

PAGE 
Well? 

DAVENPORT 
I  sent  for  you.     I  will  not  waste  your  time.     I 


represent  Colonel  Moberly,  at  present.     You  are  to 
meet  him  this  morning. 

PAGE 

I  am. 
DAVENPORT 

I  ask  you  to  apologize  to  him. 

PAGE 
For  what  ?    Colonel  Preston's  assault  ? 

DAVENPORT 

For  your  slander  of  Colonel  Preston's  cousin, 
Mildred  Page. 

PAGE 
Does  he  fear  the  meeting  ? 

DAVENPORT 

[/>.  C.~\  No,  sir,  but  he  has  more  at  risk  than  you 
have.  He  has  a  daughter — a  reputation  for  honor. 
Life  means  something  to  him.  You  are  only  a  black- 
leg. 

PAGE 

[JR.  C.  ]  Sir  !    Is   this   your    idea — of  a  second's 
duty? 
DAVENPORT 

I  am  from  the  North.     The  duello  does  not  obtain 
there.     But  I  am  familiar  with  the  code.     As  I  under- 
stand it,  gentlemen  of  honor  are  under  no  obligation  to 
meet  blackmailers  and  crooks.     You  are  a  bribe-taker, 
130 


Mr.  Page — the  type  of  a  man  we  summon  the  servants 

to  eject. 

PAGE 

By  God,  sah! 

[Draws  pistol,  which  DAVENPORT  knocks  from 

his  arm  with  his  cane  as  a  sword.] 
DAVENPORT 

You  are  a  very  versatile  party,  Mr.  Page.  One 
doesn't  often  meet  a  duelist  who  will  also  take  the 
drop  on  one.  And  by — the  drop —  [pointing  to 
pistol  and  kicking  it  LJ\\  mean  the  accepted  inter- 
pretation. 

PAGE 
You  called  me  a  bribe-taker,  sir. 

DAVENPORT 

Yes.     Mr.  Armstrong  gave  you  my  check  for  one 
thousand  dollars.     I  redeemed  it  yesterday  from  the 
Talladega  Bank.     It  bears  your  indorsement. 
PAGE 

Are  you  not  also  a  bribe-giver  ? 
DAVENPORT 

Yes,  sir.     In  rny  business  I  have  never  yet  found  a 
legislative  body,  however  honorable,  but  there  was  in 
it  some  such  moral  leper  as  yourself.     You  will  apol- 
gize  to  Colonel  Moberly  ? 
JAGE 

I  will  meet  him,  sir,  or  publish  him  for  a  coward. 


DAVENPORT 

Your   cause   is   an   unjust   one,  Mr.  Page.     You 
know  your  brother  honorably  married  Mildred  Fair- 
fax.    You  know  their  boy  is  entitled  to  his  name. 
PAGE 

I  know  the  contrary. 
DAVENPORT 

I  saw  them  married. 
PAGE 

You? 

DAVENPORT 
I. 

PAGE 

What  bluff  is  this  ?    Who  are  you,  sir  ? 
DAVENPORT 

Harry  Preston. 
PAGE 

What  ?  [Pause.]  I  deny  it. 
DAVENPORT 

[Showing  forehead.]  Your  mark — given  on  the 
field  of  Sharpsburg.  Mr.  Page,  the  job  has  changed 
hands.  Mildred  Page  is  to  be  my  wife.  I  repre- 
sent the  honor  of  this  family.  I  know  you  for  a 
blackleg  and  a  liar,  but  I  do  not  retreat  behind  that 
trifling  technicality,  I  will  fight  you, 
PAGE 

You? 

W 


DAVENPORT 

I.  You  know  the  West  Point  cadet.  Throw  a 
deck  of  cards  in  the  air,  and  I  will  take  those  dueling 
pistols  and  put  holes  through  two  of  them  before 
they  reach  the  ground.  I  will  place  a  postage 
stamp  over  your  heart,  and  if  I  don't  shoot  you 
through  that  at  twenty  paces — the  shot  don't  count. 
Come! 

PAGE 

I  have  no  quarrel  with  you. 
DAVENPORT 

Then  you  have  none  at  all. 

PAGE 

Good-morning,  sir. 

DAVENPORT 

Stop!  You  meet  me  this  morning  in  Bayou  Grove, 
or  you  apologize  to  Colonel  Moberly,  or  I  publish 
you  for  a  coward. 

PAGE 

Where  is  he  ? 
DAVENPORT 

Ah!  [Picks  up  pistol;  calls,  "Colonel!  Colonel!"] 

[Enter  PRESTON.] 
PRESTON 

Good-morning,  sir!  Someone  woke  me  throwing 
pebbles  at  my  window.  Were  you  calling  ? 


DAVENPORT 

Calling  Colonel  Moberly.     [  Calls.]  Colonel,  [Enter 
MOBERLT,  SQUIRE,  and  LATHROP.]     Mr.  Page  wishes 
to  apologize  to  you  and  Colonel  Preston,  and  Mrs. 
Page's  son,  and  withdraw. 
MOBERLY 

Well,  sir. 
PAGE 

Consider  that  I  do  so. 
MOBERLY 

As  a  gentleman  of  honah  I  must.     There  is  my 
hand,  sah. 

DAVENPORT 

[Interposing  .]  No.     Good-morning,  sir. 
PAGE 

Good-morning. 

[Afe] 

DAVENPORT 

You  would  have  regretted  it,  Colonel. 
MOBERLY 

What  procured  that  ? 
DAVENPORT 

[(7.]  Certain  legal  concessions — of  mine;  nothing, 
Colonel,  feel  assured,  stultifying  to  you. 
MOBERLY 

I  am  sure  of  that,  Captain  Davenport.     [  Crosses  to 

L.  a] 


PRESTON 

[L.  C.]  Then,  as  I  understand  it,  there  will  be  no 
suit  against  Mildred  ? 
DAVENPORT 

None,  Colonel  Preston.    [PRESTON  crosses  JR.  C.] 

[Miter  MRS.  P.  and  MRS.  STOCKTON  L.  of  C.] 
MRS.  P. 

[  Coming  down  C.]  Oh,  what — what  has  happened  ? 
I  saw  that  man.     Harry! 

PRESTON 

[JR.  <7.]  Harry— where?    What 

MRS.  P. 

I  meant— Raymond  Page.     Where  is  Lathrop  ? 

LATHROP 
Here,  mother. 

[MRS.    P.   and  LATHROP  cross   to  each  other 

L.  C.I 
DAVENPORT 

[C.]  Calm  yourself,  Mrs.  Page;  there  has  been  no 
meeting. 

MRS.  P. 

[L.  C.]  It  must  not  take  place. 
DAVENPORT 

[  (7.]  There  will  be  none. 
MRS.  P. 

Thank  God! 


PRESTON 

[JZ.  C.~\  Sit  down,  my  friends.  There  is  the 
morning  sun.  Take  seats. 

[Enter  DECATUR /or  coffee  cups.] 
Decatur!  [Crosses  <7.]    [DAVENPORT  to  MRS.  P.] 

DECATUR 

[JR.  C.]  Yes,  sah. 
PRESTON 

Get  breakfast  for  our  friends  as  quickly  as  pos- 
sible. Tell  Sadie  to  help  you. 

DECATUR 
Yes,  sah. 
PRESTON 

We'll  have  something  to  eat  in  a  few  minutes,  my 
friends.  Decatur!  We  can't  kill  the  fatted  calf,  be- 
cause we  haven't  any  calf,  and  we  haven't  any 
returned  prodigal,  but  we'll  have  a  chicken  or  two. 
Decatur,  rap  on  Miss  Carey's  door,  and  tell  her  to 
dress  as  quickly  as  possible;  that  our  friends  honor 
us  with  a  visit  to  breakfast.  [  Crosses  R.  C.] 

DECATUR 

[C.]  Miss—Miss  Carey! 

PRESTON 
Certainly — Miss  Carey. 

lit 


DECATUR 

Miss  Carey!   [Pause.     Looks  at  DAVENPORT,  who 
taps  him  with  cane  and  gives  him  letter. ~\ 

PRESTON 

[JR.  C.]  What  is  the  matter  ?    I  said  Carey. 

DECATUR 

[  C.}  She  gimme  dis  note  last  night,  sah. 

PRESTON 

Last  night — a  note ;  I  can't  see  it.  Get  my 
spectacles. 

DECATUR 

Yes,  sah.  [Exit.} 

PRESTON 

I  can't  wait.  Read  it,  Mildred.  Probably  doesn't 
want  to  be  called,  not  feeling  well.  [Goes  to  table.] 

MRS.  P. 

[C.  Appealingly.]  Captain  Davenport 

DAVENPORT 

[Down  L.  C.]  Read  it,  my  dear  madam. 

PRESTON 

Wiiy,  why,  what  is  the  matter? 

MRS.  P. 

Be  brave,  be  brave  !  [Reads.  ]  "  My  Dear  Grand- 
pa :  Forgive  me  ;  I  know  how  much  I  am  about  to 
hurt  you,  but  I  love  you  and  will  come  back." 

137 


PRESTON 
Come  back  ! 

MRS.  P. 

"  I  am  going  away.  I  love  Mr.  Armstrong  almost 
as  much  as  I  love  you." 

PRESTON 

Armstrong  !  My  God  !  Where  is  she  ?  Colonel 
Moberly 

MOBERLY 

Colonel  Preston,  there  is  some  mistake.  Read  on, 
Mrs.  Page. 

MRS.  P. 

[Looks  at  DAVENPORT,  who  insists.]  "  You  do  not 
know  how  good  he  is,  grandpa,  or  you  would  forgive 
me.  I  will — I  will  come  back.  God  bless  and  keep 
you  till  I  come.  Your  Carey." 

PRESTON 

[Sinking  on  table.]  My  God  !  My  God  !  Carey, 
Carey  ! 

MOBERLY 

[Crosses  up  L.  (?.]  I  will  call  out  the  Light 
Artillery,  sir,  and  place  every  crossroad  under 
martial  law.  Lieutenant 

LATHROP 

[To  MOBERLY.]  This  is  some  mistake. 

138 


DAVENPORT 

[<7.]    Lathrop  !    [Warning   of   silence.]    Colonel 
Preston.   [MRS.  p.  goes  back  o/ PRESTON.] 
PRESTON 

Yes,  yes,  you  gentlemen  of  the  North,  the  ruin 
•wasn't  quite  complete,  was  it  ?  And  so  you  took  the 
little  girl.  Oh,  God  forgive  me  ;  was  I  too  proud, 
was  I  too  harsh  ?  I  hate  him,  but  I  would  have  said 
"  yes,"  rather  than  this  wrong — rather  than  this 
wrong  to  her.  Gone — gone  all  night — night  ?  Ah, 
ah  !  the  sun  can  never  shine  again. 
MRS.  P. 

Cousin,  cousin !    [Enter    ARMSTRONG    to    porch.] 
Ah 

[All  look  at  ARMSTRONG,  MRS.  STOCKTON  WOrks 

R.  up  stage.] 
DAVENPORT 

Mr.  Armstrong  ! 
PRESTON 

[Rising]  Where  is  she  ?    Mr.  Armstrong,  tell  me 
where  she  is. 

ARMSTRONG 

[Looking  at  DAVENPORT.]  Why,  why — I  thought 
she  was  here. 

PRESTON 

You  do  not  speak  the  truth. 


ARMSTRONG 

That  is,  I  thought  she  would  be  here. 
PRESTON 

Would  be  here  ?  Where  is  she  ?  Where  did  you 
take  her  ?  My  God  !  Will  no  one  make  him 
speak  ? 

[Enter  CAREY  and  ATLANTA  L.  C."\ 
CAREY 

Gran'pa — gran'pa,  forgive  me  ! 
PRESTON 

[€.]  Carey!  [Embrace.} 
CAREY 

[L.  <7.]  Gran'pa,  gran'pa  ! 

[Kisses  Mm,  MRS.  s.  comes  down  _??.] 

PRESTON 

Let  me  look  at  you.  No,  no  !  no  need  to  ques- 
tion. The  Eastern  sky  is  not  more  beautiful  with 
truth.  Carey,  Carey,  Carey  ! 

[Fondles  her,   ARMSTRONG  down  LJ\ 
MRS.  P. 

She  has  been  all  night  with  me. 

PRESTON 

And  you  read  that  letter  ? 

MRS.  P. 

Yes,  because  Carey  wrote  it  meaning  to  go.     It 
might  have  been  so  terrible. 
140 


PRESTON 

My  darling,  did  you  love  him  so?  Mr.  Armstrong, 
we  are  rich  in  something  besides  weeds,  you  see. 
Carey,  Carey  !  [Fondles  her.] 

ARMSTRONG 

Forgive  me,  Colonel  Preston ;  my  offense  and  my 
atonement  are  one  and  the  same  sentence:  I  love  this 
little  lady. 

PRESTON 

[To  CAREY.]  And  you'd  rather  have  him  than  your 
old  grandad,  would  you  ? 

CAREY 

Not — not  for  a  grandfather,  I  wouldn't ;  but — 
gran'pa [Sides  her  face] 

PRESTON 

Yes,  yes  ;  I'm  an  old  dolt,  I  know. 
CAREY. 

Tell  us  you  forgive  us.  [Takes  ARMSTRONG'S 
hand] 

ARMSTRONG 

Colonel  Preston 

[Enter  DECATUR.] 
PRESTON 

[To  ARMSTRONG.]  I  like  you,  sir,  I  like  you.  This 
is  rather  manly,  I  think.  My  darling  !  [Embraces 
CAREY  again,  DECATUR  comes  to  him  C.~\  Good- 

141 


morning,  Atlanta.     Decatur,  get  two  more  chickens. 
You'll  all  stay,  won't  you  ? 

CAREY 

I  might  have  gone  away,  but  for  Captain  Daven- 
port ;  and  then  he  said,  "  Go  to  Cousin  Mildred's." 

PRESTON 

[To  table.]  Captain  Davenport,  you  take  sudden 
liberties  with  a  stranger's  family. 

DAVENPORT 

[  (7.]  I  approved  the  union. 

PRESTON 

You  approved  it,  sir  ? 

DAVENPORT 

Yes,  in  the  name  of  Carey's  father. 
PRESTON 

[Rising.]  What ! 

DAVENPORT 

I  had  his  sanction. 

PRESTON 

Carey's  father,  Harry  Preston — my  boy  ? 

DAVENPORT 

Yes,  sir.     His  letter. 

[Draws  letter,  MOBEELY  drops  down  R.] 

PRESTON 
A  letter— to  me  ? 

142 


DAVENPORT 

[  Withholding    letter."]    To     me.      Listen,    listen, 
Colonel  Preston  !  [Reads.]    "  My  Dear  Davenport  : 
I  am  glad    young  Armstrong    likes  my  daughter 
Carey." 
CAREY 

[Down  L]  My  father 

DAVENPORT 

Your — father,  Carey.  Listen  !  [Reads.]  "  I  ap- 
prove their  union.  Say  that  to  them  for  me." 

ARMSTRONG 

Carey  ? 
DAVENPORT 

"Tell  my  father  it  is  my  desire.  Ask  him  to 
waive  his  objections." 

PRESTON 

My  boy  says  that  ? 
DAVENPORT 

Yes.  [Reads.]  "Tell  him  he  does  not  need  the 
little  girl,  that  I  will  be  with  him  always  in  her 
stead."  [Emotion.] 

PRESTON 
Go  on,  sir.  [DAVENPORT  watches  PRESTON  closely] 

DAVENPORT 

[Inventing,  and  not  reading  letter]  I  think  of  him 
always.  Tell  him  to  remember  the  day  he  gave  me 

143 


my  pony  with  the  silver  tail — the  old  canoe  on  the 
bayou.  Tell  him  I  long  to  put  my  arm  about  him, 
as  he  so  often  put  his  strong  one  around  me. 

PRESTON 

Oh,  thank  God — thank  God  !  Let  me  see  that,  sir. 
[Enter  DECATUR  and  goes  back  of  table] 

I  see  no  lines — Ah,  here  are  my  spectacles. 
Come — come !  But  there  is  nothing  there,  Captain 
Davenport. 

DAVENPORT 
No,  there  is  nothing  there,  Colonel  Preston. 

PRESTON 

[Half  guessing  the  truth.]  You  were  laughing  at 
an  old  man. 

DAVENPORT 

[  Quickly.]  I  was  inventing  it. 
PRESTON 

[  Crescendo]  But  you  couldn't  invent  the  pony 
with  the  silver  tail. 

DAVENPORT 

[Climax  approaching]  I — rode — that  pony — that 
canoe  was  mine.  Why  don't  you — don't 

PRESTON 

[  Climax]  Yes — yes,  I  know  you  !   [Embrace] 
144 


DAVENPORT 

Dear — dear  old  father!  And  we've  lost  all  these 
years. 

PRESTON 

We  haven't  lost  a  day.  I've  had  you  with  me 
always.  [Joins  MRS.  P.] 

MOBERLY 

[  Crosses  R.  C.~\  Harry  Preston ! 

DAVENPORT 

[(7.,  shakes  hands — SQUIRE  pats  DAVENPORT 
on  back  while  DAVENPORT  is  shaking  hands 

With   MOBERLY.       DAVENPORT    turns — SQUIRE 

shakes  his  hand,  and  returns  to  step,  wiping 
his  eyes.] 

Yes,  Edgefield,  dear  old  boy,  and  Squire — Ah, 
Mildred,  Mildred — I  have  dreamed  of  this. 

[MOBERLY  goes  JR.  to  MRS.  STOCKTON.] 

MRS.  P. 

[£.  C.]    And  I !     But  Carey— Carey. 

[CAREY  is  hysterically  speechless.] 

DAVENPORT 

[  C.]  Yes — yes,  Carey.  [She  comes  to  him.]  Don't 
try  to  say  it,  darling.  I  know.  It  would  not  be 
worth  the  telling  if  we  could  speak  it. 

[  Goes  up  with  CAREY  and  COLONEL  PRESTON.  ] 


MRS.  P. 

[  C.]  Colonel,  I  knew  this  yesterday,  but  was  under 
bond  of  silence.  You  must  have  thought  me  heart- 
less— but  you  see 

MOBERLY 

[  Coming  R.  C.]  You'  composure  rather  heightened 
my  admiration  for  you.  [  Goes  R.  again — MRS.  p.  up.] 

SQUIRE 

[  Going  C.  and  slowly  picking  up  letter. ,]  Here  is 
your  letter,  Captain. 

DAVENPORT 

[  Coming  down  R.  C.]  This  is  not  mine. 

SQUIRE 
It's  the  one  you  read  your  father.  [  Goes  to  step.] 

PRESTON 

[  Up  C.]  I'd  like  to  keep  it. 

DAVENPORT 

[Laughing.]  I  read  the  blank  side  only.  Why, 
forgive  me,  Colonel,  but  it  was  your  letter  to  Mrs. 
Stockton.  [Hands  it  to  her.] 

MRS.    P.   AND  MRS.  S. 
What? 

MOBERLY 

My  dear  madam — it  was  written  under  peculiar 
conditions. 

146 


DAVENPORT 

Yes,  when  he  thought  he  might  be  dead  before  you 
read  it.  [  Crosses  L.  ] 

MRS.  S. 

[Z.  of  table,  reading.]  "Love — of  a  lifetime- 
sincere  respect."  [Speaks.]  Why,  Colonel,  I  thought 
Mrs.  Page 

MOBERLY 

Yes,  yes,  Mrs.  Stockton  ;  beauty  is  easy  enough  to 
win,  but  one  isn't  loved  every  day.  That  was  meant 
to  be  the  statement  of  a  post-mortem. 

MRS.  S. 
I  am  glad  it  is  not.    [Down  JR.] 

MOBERLY 

[1$.  with  MES.  s.  ]  You  do  not  know  how  proud  you 
make  me.  I  would  never  have  dared  give  you  that 
myself.  Captain  Davenport,  you  can  send  the  rail- 
road any  way  you  like,  and  I  suppose  now  it  will 
cross  Mrs.  Page's  land,  but  1  am  richer  in  this 
possession. 

PRESTON 

The  railroad 

DAVENPORT 

[(7.]  Shall  not  disturb  you,  father.  I  meant  it 
only  for  your  good,  but  I  am  with  you  now. 
Ned 

147 


ARMSTRONG 
Captain  ! 

DAVENPORT 

Direct  the  survey  by  the  way  of  Mrs.  Stockton's. 
[MOBERLY  bows.]  If  you  want  an  interest  in  it, 
Mildred,  it  must  be  through  Lathrop  and  Atlanta. 

MRS.  P. 

[Up  L.  C.I  They  have  my  consent. 
SQUIRE 

[After  pause  and  survey  of  all  others  paired.] 
Well — perhaps  it  wouldn't  V  been  for  the  best — with 
mother  leanin'  on  me. 


CURTAIN. 


148 


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Alabama. 


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